SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


Private Robert HODGE(S)

5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment 13313


Robert was born in Spratton on 12 January 1895, the son of Samuel Hodge, a 63 year old hawker, and his wife Caroline aged 31.  By the time Robert was 6, the family had moved to Northampton where his mother worked from home as a florist.  After his father died, the family remained in Northampton at 71 St George’s Street and later at number 32 in the same street.  Robert and his brothers and sisters all worked in the boot and shoe trade.

Robert enlisted in September 1914 aged 19 and served in France from 31 May 1915 to 11 October 1915.  He then seems to have had medical and dental treatment before returning to the front line on 10 February 1916.  He suffered a shrapnel wound to his left side at Pozieres in August 1916 and spent 37 days in hospital. The medical report indicates that his lung infection was caused by his battle wound and he had acute pulmonary tuberculosis.  He was discharged in March 1917 as no longer fit for medical service and awarded a Silver War Badge to wear at home to show that he had been wounded in the war. The military doctor who examined him before he was discharged wrote: “His disability is permanent and will get worse.  He is confined to bed and unable to work. He is far gone.”    Sadly Robert died in September 1917 aged 22.  He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Silver War Badge
Silver War Badge
Silver War Badge
Silver War Badge