Yarm 1914

Joseph was born on 3rd May 1988 to Joseph Marshall Hodgson and Hannah Ellen Hodgson (nee Bell) in Brotton. In 1891 the family lived at 72 High Street and his father was a fan engine driver. He had one brother John Charles born in 1885 and three sisters, Elizabeth Ann born in1882, Esther born in 1887 and Nellie born in 1890.

In 1901 Joseph was living with the Metcalfe family in Yarm High Street as a boarder. His mother had died in 1897 and her death certificate records her name as Anna Helen Hodgson. His father remarried Emma London at St Margaret’s church in Brotton on 24th December 1899 and they had further children. By 1911 Joseph had been joined at the Metcalfe’s house by two of his brothers Henry born in 1893 and William born in 1896. His father had been widowed again and was living with five of his daughters at 70 High Street in Brotton. Joseph married Mary Ann Hopper in November 1912 and had two children, His wife was exactly two years younger than Joseph and worked as a dress maker from home in Yarm. Doris born on 19th September 1913 and William on 17th May 1915. The family lived on the High Street and Joseph worked as a shop assistant.

Joseph signed up in Stockton on 7th December 1915 and was posted to the No 4 depot of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) (heavy and siege) on 29th May 1916 in Ripon. His medical condition was assessed as B1 and therefore he was assigned to artillery duties. On 13th November 1916 he was posted as gunner to 298 siege battery which was equipped with 4 – 6” howitzers and he left England on 2nd April 1917.

25th January he was granted leave to return to the UK until 3rd February 1918.

There were two occasions on 21st April 1918 and 11th June 1918 when he contravened the battery standing orders. He was given two days of number 2 as punishment. This meant that he was secured with fetters and/or handcuffs or ropes or straps.

19th July 1918 he spent time at the 2nd army rest camp until 3rd August 1918. On 2nd April 1919 he was posted to the 420 Siege Battery of the RGA in Germany. He returned to UK to be demobbed on 11th September 1919.

In 1939 the family was living at Fairway on Leven Road. Joseph was a newsagent along with his son and his daughter was described as a teacher certified. She married Leslie McLane on 31st May 1950. Joseph died on 28th April 1965 whilst living at The Willows on Leven Road. He left his estate of £4243 to his daughter and Mary Nobel described as "a married woman". It is believed that his wife died in 1986 in East Cleveland.

Photograph from "The Times History of the War" Volume XVIII, page 105, published 1919

Those who returned

Yarm 1914 Research ________________

The Yarm 1914 Commemoration Group is carrying out research on the soldiers listed. We are finding where they lived in Yarm and will represent the findings in a wall of poppies presentation. More details will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this web site. If you have any information please contact us. Left click on the picture below.