HODDINOTT George Frederick

George Frederick Hoddinott enlisted in the Canadian Infantry on 28th April 1916 at Winnipeg, Canada. On his attestation paper he gave his date of birth as 22nd November 1879 in London, England. His next of kin is shown as his sister, Mrs Prior, of Dumbleton, Worcestershire, England. He was a farmer by trade and had 2 years military service with the 2nd Volunteer Middlesex Battalion Duke of Cambridge’s Own Regiment from 1905 to 1906. George was 5 feet 6¼ inches tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4405 – 24

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) record the following information on Private George Frederick Hoddinott:
Killed in Action.
Whilst taking part with his Company in an attack on Damery, and when about 200 yards North of the village and after the Company had reached its objective, the enemy opened a barrage before the Company could “dig in” and he was instantly killed by a splinter from a shell.

The Canada Commonwealth War Graves Registers record the following information on Private George Frederick Hoddinott: Killed in Action. Next of Kin: Mrs Lizzie Pryor, School House, Dumbleton, Evesham, Worcestershire. Vimy Memorial.

The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of Jim Busby:
Source: LAC File RG150, 1992-93/166, 4405-24
Researched: March 24, 2016

1. Personal
Born: 1879-11-22 at London, England
NOK: Sister; Elizabeth Annie Prior
NOK Address: The Schoolhouse, Dumbleton, Worcestershire, England
Address: Birnie, Manitoba
Marital Status: single
Occupation: Farmer
Previous military service: yes, Territorials

2. Enlistment
Enlisted: 1916-04-28 with 101st Bn at Winnipeg
Coy/Photo: D Coy // yes
Physical: 37 years 5 months, 5 feet 6 inches, chest 36+2, 140 lb
Description: fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair
Religion: Church of England

3. Service
1916-06-28 to 07-06: Sailed with 101st Bn aboard SS Olympic from Halifax to Liverpool. Posted to East Sandling Camp
07-13: Posted to 17th Reserve Battalion, East Sandling Camp
09-10: Posted to 43rd Battalion and proceeded to France. Taken on strength Canadian Base Depot, Havre
09-11: Taken on strength 3rd Ent Battalion
10-07: Joined 43rd Battalion at Albert and assigned to C Company
12-05: Attached to 1st Army School as batman

1917-07-26 to 08-07: Granted leave to Paris
08-30 to 09-03: Attached to hospital as batman
09-28: Ill, Pleurisy. Admitted to 9th Field Ambulance
10-02: Discharged to unit and rejoined 43rd Battalion at Bois-Des-Alleux
10-26: Gun Shot Wound, left shoulder and contusions at Passchendaele, (Shankland VC action). To 8th Field Ambulance, then to 11th Casualty Clearing Station
10-28: Transferred to 6th General Hospital, Rouen
12-06: Invalided to England aboard HS Grantully Castle. Posted to MRD, Shorncliffe for administration
12-07: Admitted to Central Military Hospital, Winchester
12-18: Transferred to Woodcote Park Convalescent Hospital, Epsom

1918-01-18: Discharged to duty and posted to 11th Reserve Battalion, Shorncliffe
04-07: Posted to 43rd Battalion and proceeded to France. Taken on strength Canadian Base Depot, Havre
04-20: Attached to 3rd Div Wing, CCRC
06-16: Rejoined 43rd Battalion in billets at Witternesse
08-15: Killed in Action at Damery

Buried: No Known Grown, Vimy Memorial

Commemorated:
First World War Book of Remembrance at page 430
Birnie Memorial Park, Birnie, Manitoba
Lansdowne War Memorial, Arden, Manitoba
Neepawa War Memorial, Neepawa, Manitoba
St Mary’s Church, Aston Somerville, England

4. Recognition
Medals: eligible for British War Medal and Victory Medal; no medal cards on file
Awards/Commendations: none
Special Qualifications: none

5. Other Information
Actual place of birth was Aston Somerville, Worcestershire, England

1917-08-30: He was attached as a batman to look after Captain, Acting Major Bertie Charles Gardner, who was wounded on that date, and remained with Captain Gardner until he was invalided to England on 09-03.

George Hoddinott has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Vimy Memorial.