Lt Col Gerald Walton Hobson CMG, DSO

  General Notes:

late 12th Lancers Remount Service served in the Boer War (Queen's medal, seven clasps, despatches 3 times) and in the first World war (DSO 1916, CMG 1919).

1914 Star with oakleaf, disembarked France 15 Aug 1914, British and Victory medals.

JP Leics 1920-33 and Northants 1933.

Chairman and Director J. Kershaw & Co Cotton Spinners, Ashton under Lyne.

Educated Harrow and RMC

Fom his Memoirs:

Resuming this Chronicle in December 1939. I am writing from Harpole Hall. Possibly I should resume by giving some account of myself, though it may not be very interesting, still there should be a record.

Born 1873, and very delicate as a boy, in fact in 1879 I had such a long illness that father took for the winter a house at Waterloo near Liverpool, opposite the Mersey Bar. Here we were next door, to the Ismay family with whom we used to play with daily. Ada and Dora were six months older than I and Bower and Lottie a little younger.

We moved to the Marfords in 1880. In 1883 I went to Elstree where I had a miserable first term, being bullied and pushed down in the changing room, and hurt my knee, which has pothered me all my life.

On the last day of the term I got Scarlet fever and spent the Christmas Holidays in bed. After Father and Mother took me to an Hotel at Hastings. A ship, (a small cargo boat) was driven ashore close to the hotel and there was great excitement as to whether she could lie hauled up before the incoming tide smashed her.

I was still peeling and was suddenly supposed to be still infectious. No end of a fuss, and I think father had to pay some damages.

In 1887 I went to Harrow, Don Bushell's House of which I became head. It was only at Harrow I began to grow. The food at Elstree was so bad - but just when I was beginning to be some use at games I put out a cartilage in my knee, (same knee) and was unable to play any games for a year or more. Learnt carpentry instead which bored me stiff.

I'd a meteoric career up the school. Placed in the second Shell I got a special remove in a fortnight and came out fourth and the next term was in the upper remove. This form was then abolished and so I got a double into second fifth of which I came out top, and then spent a whole year in first fifth, a year in lower sixth, and a year in upper sixth as Monitor.

I passed into Sandhurst straight from Harrow. Joined C Company. Played polo for Sandhurst with Sir. S. Scott, Leslie Hamilton, (brother of Lord Hamilton of B.L.) Reggie Chaplin, we beat the Subalterns of the 2nd Lifeguards at Windsor.

Won several events at Pony Gymkhana and was left in last four for the saddle. Joined 12th on 5th October 1892.

Played polo for Regiment in 1895, but was kicked out till 1895. Played for them after that till Boer war 1999.

Yeomanry Adjutant 1901 to 1904. Was with the Regiment at Magersfonteiu, Driefontein, Polar Grove, Bloemfontein, Karee siding, Pretoria, Johannesburg. Diamond Hill WitreDergen Chase of de Wet. Clearing upon Magaliesburg, wss in hospital with jaundice at Relief of Kimberley - see Diary of War. Adjutant to Sir W. Wynn's Yeomanry 1901 to 1904. Was asked to stay on but thought better to rejoin Regiment. Played polo for Regiment 1904 to 1907. Just got beaten for Inter Regt. (see Some XII Lancers.)

My mother died in 1907, just before I left for home. Married Wynnie 1908.

Understood from Douglas Haig I was to be Brigade Major on Full Pay on Notts and Derby third Brigade.

At last minute he said I'd to retire to take post at £100 a year which didn't cover expenses.

Went to live at Long Clawson Hall, Melton Mowbray - H.Q. at Nottingham, Brigadier Sir L. Rollerton.

Had an invitation to play polo in California January 1910, was refused leave, so gave up my appointment.

Dick was born November 1909. He was very ill while we were away. Nurse probably poisoned him with no air and drugs for sleeping.

Returned just as King Edward died. Dick a shadow, weighed less than when we went away. Got back monthly nurse, sacked the other one. Dick never looked, back.

In January 1909 father died. We took a house in Putney (Carlton House) for 1910 summer, and subsequently took a house each year for polo till 1914.

John born April 18th 1912. Christened in Putney. Went to Frankfurt, stayed with Von Weiriburg in 1911.

I had previously been there from Hamburg in 1907. Team, Neil Haig, Harrington, Mackey and self.

In 1913 I bought Misterton Hall for £13,000.
In 1914 war broke out.
In 1913 when 40, I was offered a 3*on as Remount Officer No. 1 Base Remount Depot. I had been running the Leicestershire Brood Mare Society for some years. In January 1914 got my Railway Ticket orders and Book d Instruction. On outbreak of war went to Waterford. Told by Colonel Purvis to be his Adjutant. Refused. He then said he would not be going over and I should command abroad. Accepted on condition that he £ t me run things without interference.

Went to Havre about 86th August.

No sort of organisation and chaos supreme. An incompetent militia officer(artist)as Adjutant. Took over, given command and D.S.O. in January 1915.

Hurriedly moved to St. Nazaire in Septemoer 1914.

Thence to Racecourse at Nantes, a bad stampede and many casualties (all owing to pigheaded stupidity of Old Gunner Colonel commanding who wouldn't listen to me when I told him horses must be tied up and tore up my wire to War Office, asking for rugs and head collars for every horse.)

Moved to Rouen and after struggling with mud and picket lines eventually stables were begun.

Flooring was then the trouble, we used chalk which wore badly, eventually got sleepers, all this we had to do ourselves.

Bedding was got by cutting bracken in the forest.
As summer came on the dust got very bad and the doctors tried hard to have all exercising stopped. The water ran out, this chiefly owing to the fact that the engineers wouldn't listen to my request for big water troughs.

Horses then had to go some three miles to the Seine. Eventually I got my big troughs. I was promoted in January 1915 and given command.

As I had all the cavalry reinforcements under me in conjunction with the Remount Depot, the Director of Remounts wished to have me made a Brigadier. The Base Commandant being only a full Colonel -this was not allowed and subsequently the Cavalry Reinforcements were put in charge of two very old Infantry Colonels. However, it all went smoothly. In 1915 I was given the Depot at Ormskirk, it wasn't in a very good state when I took it over. Afterwards I was offered Southampton, but the Director misunderstood my wishes I said, "I'd go where I was ordered" and gave it to Hamboro' at W.O. He cane to stay with me to see how our depot was run.

They had a mutiny there later on. When the war finished the men at my depot began to get restless. I escaped the mutiny as follows. I went on two days leave home, but had scarcely arrived when I got a wire from my second in command, asking me to return at once. Found two squadrons had declared a soviet.

Had each of 10 squadrons into the Gymnasium two at a time - explained the situation to them, viz that it was impossible if the work was to be done to give easier hours. Made Church parade voluntary. Read them out the Army Act.

Mutiny etc punishable with death and finally told them the news arrived that morning that their pay was raised. Had no further trouble, but at once got rid of the Soviet Officers. Was demobbed in April 1919.

I sold Misterton in 1925 to Lord Cromwell and went to Cornhill, Pattishall. I thought it a better investment for the children. Cornhill had cost £53,000 in all, I bought it for £13,000. I enlarged the garden as I'd promised Wynnie she should have a good garden at Misterton, and built a lodge and two greenhouses, these alterations cost me about £3,000. I worked a lot, building walls, terraces and general alterations, my arthritis was beginning then, and I don't think the carrying heavy stones did it much good.

In 1930 things got very bad, the Argentine Railways and United of Havana slumped right down and ceased all dividends. I had made these over to the children expecting they would pay all their expenses in perpetuo.

Then the cotton mills ceased to pay dividends and I'd very little income except from my pension and directors fees. Wynnie came to the rescue, I let the farm at £230 a year and we started commercial gardening. This by 1939 was paying George's wages, £1.13.0. weekly and paying the two men Curtis and Larkin £5 a year bonus and leaving £100 to be divided between George Wright and myself.

In 1939 the war broke out on September 1st. Orders for black-out came into force immediately. During the first days of the blackout burglars visited us. Quite obviously they had been watching the house for days.

Now all our ladders were locked up but they got one of French's from the bottom fields. Carried it round below the hill, through the orchard, below the terraces and so up to Wynnie's room.

The raid took place just at 9 p.m. when we were listening to the News. We went up to bed, everything appeared to be in order except a broken pane of glass - we thought this had been done by a maid shutting the Window. We did not discover the burglary until next a.m.

Afterwards it appeared, Curtis, on his way to stoke the heating saw the men loafing near the back door, but did not challenge them. After stoking he got a light but by then they had gone.

Now the police discovered (l) the gang was of four men, (2) they left the car in Fosters Booth with one man. It was seen there by two people, neither of whom took the number. The men Curtis saw were evidently watchers. When he saw them the job had been done. Value carried by Insurance was £800 which I think was less than the jewels, apart from their associations, were worth.

The next disaster (to me at any rate), was the firm to Gee Walker and Straker wanted a place to evacuate their staff to, and to make a long story short I was induced by Wynnie and the boys to sell the estate for £10,500. I tried to get out of doing so, but Gee refused to let me do so, though I was not legally bound. With only a fortnight to clear out and little petrol, the only place I could get was Harpole Hall, Northampton. I was most unhappy, and I do not and never shall like it.

The third disaster was to come. In the fortnight we had moved all our staff to Harpole and we ourselves leaving it in the hands of workmen went away for a fortnight. No sooner had we left than an terrific cloud burst occurred. 4½" in 24 hours. The drain under the road was blocked and the water poured into the place where my pictures were stored.

Before leaving Cornhill, at the request of the Company, I had insured against all risks. The damage repair was estimated at £400 but I lost many photos which I prized, damaged beyond repair.

Dick was sent to France in October, but returned for a 13 weeks course at the Staff College in January 1940. John was married to Beryl Johnson, daughter of Stuart Johnson, Henshall Hall Congleton on 9th December at Chester Cathedral.

In January 1940 Kershaw Mills paid their first dividend since 1931

In April 1940, on his birthday, the 18th, John was suddenly ordered to go to France as Intelligence Officer, 1st Reconnoitering Armoured Brigade. On his arrival he was told the billet had already been filled, he was then put on Liaison Officer, which meant really he'd got to be a glorified motor cycle despatch rider. From Vimy Ridge he went up with the most advanced party into Belgium, and though he has said little of his adventures,took part in the famous retreat and debacle of Dunkirk, was up to his neck for four hours in the sea trying to get off a lighter full of wounded men and eventually got back safely after being in his wet clothes for eleven or twelve hours.

Dick, having passed the staff college was sent as Staff Captain to the 1st Armoured Division.

He went in advance to procure billets in Brussels, was challenged as a spy (his language convinced them he was English) with the aid of a fast car succeeded in getting through south of the Seine to join two 1st Brigades of the Division. Was present when the French C. in C. came and urged the troops to stop the Germans. Ten minutes after he had gone there was no French to be seen.

The Germans crossed the Seine unopposed. Dick eventually got off on llth June from Cherbourg.

Dick's eldest son was born on 2nd November 1940 and christened Christopher Richard at Greens Norton Church. A few days after his birth, Dick, now Brigade Major to Rolly Charrington's Brigade, went to Egypt. After a time went to Greece, escaped by a miracle, (see Letter).

After a time on the Staff, went to 30th Corps H.Q. and fought against Rommel, (see Letter).

John meanwhile, went on the H.Q. Staff at Chester as Captain and thence promoted to Major at DAQMG 9th Corps H.Q. at the end of 1941.

In August 1941 John's, (August 2nd), first child, a daughter was born and christened Edwina Beryl.

On December 31st 1941, Dick was made an O.B.E. for his services in Greece. He had been recommended for D.S.O.

In November Hermione joined the Womens Auxiliary Police Services and drives patrol cars for Police Observers. Gives evidence in Court when required etc.
1939-1945

As what it was like for mere onlookers.

First of all we were lucky in that the area round Northampton has been very lucky, in that there have been comparatively few bombs much nearer than Rugby, 17 miles away. 1939 saw us safely housed at Cornhill, Pattishall, with a butler, cook, kitchen maid, two house-maids and Wynnie's maid (Florence Talbot.) As soon as war was declared I went with John to Aldershot to say goodbye to Dick. The next morning, a perfectly glorious September morning, Dick came in while I was shaving and said "Air raid warning Dad, we are going to the shelter." But as it was up a steep hill I turned back after starting and remained in the house. Nothing happened, and after breakfast John and I drove off home. The blackout started at once. Thereafter if any light showed and was seen by the police or any other interfering bodies you were summoned and fined about £2. As I have written previously, in October we were burgled while we were listening to the 9 o'clock news. Then we had someone trying to buy the house. All my family except Hermione, my solicitor and my doctor urged me to sell. Like an idiot and against my own judge-ment I sold, and at the poor price of £11,000. We had only three weeks to get out, and we took Harpole Hall on a 3 - 5 - 7 years lease, never expecting to stay there more than 3 years. It is all tumbling to pieces, has the worst landlord in the world, and is right in the

While the house was being decorated we went away and there was the worst flood for 40 years. Many of my pictures were damaged, which were temporarily stored in an outhouse. To do them up cost £400 and for that and the burglary I got £1,100 from the Insurance Go. But I would far rather have had no burglary and flood than the money.

It was not long before petrol rationing came in. A basic ration allowance of about 150 miles per month. This was after a time off, and only petrol for essential journeys allowed, and the police had power to challenge anyone to inquire from their papers on which essent-ial work they were travelling. Fines were heavy, even for going half a mile out of the way.

In 1940 came the German air attacks and things became less comfortable. Several bombs dropped from half to three miles away. Only one did much damage. Demolished a house and cut the electricity main. A Fire-watcher put his hand on the end of the cable and was electrocuted. This was probably the only casualty.

In Africa John had been ordered to France, and at this time I never expected to see either of my sons alive again.

As soon as the Local Defence Volunteers were mooted I went to see Hereward Wake and went on his staff. Afraid I didn't do much, but one hoped at any rate to be able to die fighting in uniform, as we really expected invasion and I had my rifle at the front door and revolver by my bedside. At this time (after Dunkirk) the country was in a terribly hopeless position. No arms at all, no ammunition, no uniforms, no tanks and but a few aeroplanes. We all took our shot guns to have them tested for solid ammunition. Shortly before the war our Government had sold 6 million Rifles to Japan. When the German attacks on Coventry started every one of their planes seemed to come directly over this house, but only one night did we take to the cellars. After that I decided to die in my bed if we were hit.

In November 1940 Dick was ordered out as Brigade Major to Colonel Charrington from Egypt. The Brigade was ordered to Greece and we had a very anxious time. See his letter. After that he was in Rommel's battles.

Here at home they began calling up all our domestics and rationing began to be more serious. Even after the war is over we only get I/- worth of meat per week, 2 oz. of butter, very little sugar and not much tea.

In the autumn of 1941, Moulds (our butler) who had married Mrs. Gardiner Muir's cook, gave notice after 26 years, said he wanted to work on a farm, think really he was terrified he'd be called up.

One by one all our servants were taken except Wynnie's maid, who stuck to us most nobly as did my chauffeur Curtis, who was too old to be called up. With petrol being cut off, it became impossible to go about and see one's friends and life became almost imprisonment. During all this period Hermione had been driving her mother in every day to the Northampton War Charities, but in November 1941, she was likely to be called up, and joined the Women's Auxiliary Police, driving a patrol car.

Thereafter Wynnie had to go into the Northampton Charity by bus and as a consequence early in 1945 her health broke down, and she had to give it up.

Then in 1943 John had to go to Tunis, where he became Lt. Col. on the Allied H.Q. But had to revert to Captain when he came home on compassionate leave when his little boy died. After he joined the 21st Army Group, where he was again promoted to Lt. Col.

A village woman came in to cook for us (a very modulate performer) and another who did house-work so many days a week.

As time went on food didn't get any easier and but for a kind friend who periodically sent us butter I don't know how we should have fared.
Meantime the family cotton mills of which I am Chairman, was closed down in 1941, and the company had to carry on with the maintenance allowance from working firms, amounting to about £8,000 a year (just enough to pay 5 per cent).

Two of our directors died, our Manager and Managing Director was called up in July 1944 at the age of 39 as a Private Soldier (having previously been exempted) and the responsibility was on my shoulders entirely. Taxation made our income almost negative, giving us only about 7/6d. in the £.

As more Americans came over our Airfields sprang up all over the county and the roar of their machines went on day and night, several bombers crashed within a few miles of here, but though in nearly every case the crews were all blown to pieces there was little material damage.

Only one doodlebug fell some seven or eight miles away. All these explosions did us no visible damage, though the house shook to its foundations.

When the appeal to take evacuees came we took three little girls. Their parents didn't behave very well, and removed them at an hour's notice after there had been a Christmas tree and Christmas presents etc. Subsequently we found they had done the same thing four times before. No doubt there are some nasty people about in London. When their parents came down they took their children to the Pub and encouraged them to drink port. When the children were at home they used to lock them in while they went out drinking and this when air raids were frequent.

In 1944 we had a very nice family who left to escape the doodle-bugs, which were very bad. The people in the south suffered very severely, both from air raids and doodlebugs.

Now in 1945 the whole situation is worse than it had ever been, food is no better. Government interference, now the labour party is in is far worse, it is impossible to buy even a decent pair of socks, you cannot spend more than £10 in doing up a house and Government interference is simply killing trade.

Dick got command of the 59th Training Battalion in 1945. The youngest Lt. Colonel to get the command of this sort of body. John is to be demobbed on 1st November 1945, when presumably he will start again in Rex Vaughan's chambers after losing six years of experience.

  Research Notes:

Lieutenant Colonel G. W Hobson, 12th Lancers, Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) Companion's neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; D.S.O. G.V.R.: Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, seven bars Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (Lt. 12R. Lcrs.); 1914 Star with Mons bar (Major, 12 Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oakleaf (Lt. Col.); Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, bronze; Special Constabulary Faithful Service G.V.R. (Gerald W Hobson). Mounted as worn, good very fine. (Ll 100- 1 300 8 Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Walton Hobson (1873-1962 entered army 1892, Major 1906, served Boer War, mentioned (Despatches), European War 1914-1919 (Despatches twice, C.M.G.), rode in the Queens Procession with his squadron 20 June 1897; in the 12th Lancers charge at Diamond Hill, when his C.O. Lord Airlie was killed. D.S.O. London Gazette 18.2.1915 'for services in connection with operations in the field'.

London Times 11/05/1901 (Saturday)

p13a & b The Mongolian left for England May 8, with the following on passage home:

I.Y. \endash Col. R.H.F.W. Wilson, Lt.-Col. W. Bromley-Davenport, Majs. G.C. Ricardo, H.B. de La P. Beresford-Pierse, Surg.-Maj. H. Manders, Capts. L.G. Gisborne , J.E.B. Seely, G. Lubbock, W. Byron, L.E. Starkey, C.P. Crane, R.A. Maude, Lts. H.C. Gardner, W.F. Martin, R.T. Whitehead, T. Haig, F.J. Montgomery, T.A. Blake, Hon. P.C. Evans-Freke, W.P. Jeffcock, G. Wilson, H.F. Montgomery, W.H.F. Musgrove, Lt. & Qm. T. Humphreys, Surgeon Dresser J.S. Pascoe and 719 men from various companies.

4/W. Yorkshire \endash Surg. Lt.-Col. J. Walker
4/Dublin Fus. \endash Maj. C.H. Tippett
2/Highland L.I. \endash Capt. T.F. Murray
RA \endash Capt. D.F. Nicholl
Civil Vet. Surgs. \endash J.C. Young, A.B. Holland, W.J. Arkcoll
Remount Dept. \endash Capt. C.M. Wheatley
12/Lancers \endash Capt. G.W. Hobson
Vol. Co. Warwick \endash Lt. F.M. Chatterley
RAMC \endash Civil Surgs. F.E. Ingall, F.B. Mudd
Nursing Sisters \endash M. Coleman, E.W. Flanders

Due Southampton June 1.

London Times 10/06/1901 (Monday)

The Mongolian arrived Southampton Saturday afternoon.

I.Y. \endash Col. R.H.F.W. Wilson, Lt.-Col. W. Bromley-Davenport, Majs. G.C. Ricardo, H.B. de La P. Beresford-Pierse, Surg.-Maj. H. Manders, Capts. L.G. Gisborne , J.E.B. Seely, G. Lubbock, W. Byron, L.E. Starkey, C.P. Crane, R.A. Maude, Lts. H.C. Gardner, W.F. Martin, R.T. Whitehead, T. Haig, F.J. Montgomery, T.A. Blake, Hon. P.C. Evans-Freke, W.P. Jeffcock, G. Wilson, H.F. Montgomery, W.H.F. Musgrove, Lt. & Qm. T. Humphreys, Surgeon Dresser J.S. Pascoe and 719 men from various companies.

4/W. Yorkshire \endash Surg. Lt.-Col. J. Walker
4/Dublin Fus. \endash Maj. C.H. Tippett
2/Highland L.I. \endash Capt. T.F. Murray
RA \endash Capt. D.F. Nicholl
Civil Vet. Surgs. \endash J.C. Young, A.B. Holland, W.J. Arkcoll
Remount Dept. \endash Capt. C.M. Wheatley
12/Lancers \endash Capt. G.W. Hobson
Vol. Co. Warwick \endash Lt. F.M. Chatterley
RAMC \endash Civil Surgs. F.E. Ingall, F.B. Mudd
Nursing Sisters \endash M. Coleman, E.W. Flanders

Lieut-Col G W Hobson The Times 08.09.62

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Walton Hobson, CMG, DSO late XII Lancers and the father of Sir John Hobson, the Attorney General, died on Thursday at the age of 89. He was a former chairman of J. Kershaw Ltd, cotton spinners, Ashton under Lyne. He saw service in both the South African and First World Wars, being appointed CMG and winning a DSO. He published two books on his old regiment.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Address: 1881, 12 Beach Lawn, Great Crosby, Lancashire.

• Address: 1891, The Marfords, 25 Dibbinsdale Road, Bromborough, Lancashire.

• Occupation/Address: 2nd Boer War, 1901, South Africa.

• Address: 1920, Misterton Hall, Lutterworth.

• Address: 1936, Cornhill, Pattishall, Towcester.

Gerald married Wynifred (Wynnie) Hilda Muir, daughter of John Gardiner Muir and Jessie Agnes Henderson Hendrie, on 14 Oct 1908 in Thrapston, Huntingdonshire.⁷ (Wynifred (Wynnie) Hilda Muir was born on 13 Oct 1886 in Eardisley, Herefordshire and died on 6 Sep 1962.)