Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert Charles Hodby was born on 25 April 1897 to Frederic James Scott Hodby and Emily Annie Wellington Hodby in the small town of Yongala.[1] Herbert was the second child to his parents, who would eventually have a total of nine children, Frederick Stephen, Hilda Lilia, Vernon Wellington, Lindley David, Eunice Emily, Avis Mary, Kenneth Wellington and Douglas Cyril Hodby.[2] [3] Of his siblings, only seven of them made it to adulthood; both Vernon and Eunice passed away in car accidents, but the rest of his brothers and sisters lead long lives.[4] In his small town, Bert worked in his father Frederic’s store until he went away to serve as a private in World War I.[5] [6]

His journey into enlistment proved slightly difficult as he faced rejection early on due to his teeth, as stated by (National Archives of Australia 2019), but after a year or so, the standard was lowered enough to allow for the passing of young Bert. At 18 years and 10 months old, Bert was successful in his enlistment on 19 January 1916; he would then embark to Plymouth, England, on 19 September 1916. Disembarking about two months later, on November 14, records from (National Archives of Australia 2019) claim that he was in the 5th Division Signal Company from 21 September, this was until he was taken on strength into the 4th Division Signal Company; according to his official papers (National Archives of Australia 2019). While in the 5th Division, he was marched into the no. 3 Parkhouse Detail Camp, training reinforcements was the main purpose of these places, and at some point, most likely after he had finished training, he was transferred to the 4th Division.

After his division and placement were figured out, Bert and his battalion made their way to Vignacourt, a villa in France, to take over from the 2nd Division on 18 December 1916.[7] Vignacourt was a site the Germans attacked early into the war; after the people residing fled, it was claimed by the Allied troops. The base was located right behind the front lines, making for easy access to the war but far enough to be safe from the residual effects; this information was compiled by (Vignacourt | Australian War Memorial 2022). His battalion would then move again to take over from the 5th Division on the 4th January 1917 in Ribemont, a small French commune.[8] On 23 April, Bert was transferred to the 10th Field Artillery Brigade, which he left for France with on 10 May. There was some indication that the 10th Battalion took over from the 4th at the forward operating base; the information is slightly unclear, but further records from the (National Archives of Australia 2019) show that the 10th and 4th had been in communication. The 4th and 10th Divisional signal companies were in transmission and connected;[9] after a week, Bert was transferred back into the 4th Division. After a large gap, it was noted by the (National Archives of Australia 2019) that he had gone on leave to the United Kingdom on 13 February 1918; he remained on leave for the most part of two weeks, then rejoined his unit in time for the 4th Divisions main battle in France.

All further information on this battle was from the Unit Diaries, specifically from March 1918. Arriving on 1 March to relieve the 1st Division, the 4th had set up base at Scherpenberg; they would remain there until enemy troops raided the 3rd signal office. A lieutenant would be joining and moving the 4th Division to Merris after closing office in Scherpenberg. From 13 to 21 March, enemy lines were filled and began to fire with high-velocity guns; this would continue until 27 March.[10] The same day, the 4th Division was called to arms in Dernancourt in an attempt to preserve the lines surrounding the commune; while in battle, they also faced the dilemma of maintaining lines around Henancourt, Lavieville and Bresle. After three days, communications were re-established with the 1st Division, providing the 4th with backup for the enemy fire in Vadencourt and Contay on 30 March.[11] Enemy firing began to worsen, while the beginning of April was spent re-establishing communication lines in Baizieux.[12] [13] This marks what would be the worst of the enemy firing, for the first three days were slow on their behalf, but as they entered the fifth, there was a heavy enemy barrage. A barrage is the concentrated fire of guns at a single point of interest; this attack was focused on Lavieville and Henancourt, both patrolled by the 4th Division. This assault was the most brutal Bert’s division would encounter in the war; all lines around both towns were severed. [14] After this battle, the 2nd Division was called to relieve them. This would begin the 4th Division’s move around France; over the next couple of months, they would lay lines and erected several loop sets and a ‘rocket firing device’ in many different locations, using the sketches as seen in the May unit diary of 1918.[15]

Their moving around France was cut short in January when Bert was admitted to Endell Hospital on 26 January with knee trouble.[16] His issues came with swelling and redness, before he was unable to walk, as reported by (National Archives of Australia 2019); his condition remained a mystery for about a week until he was diagnosed with synovitis.[17] After receiving treatment, Bert stayed in the hospital for the month’s duration, before being discharged for the small remainder of the war. Bert didn’t stay fighting long, being that he embarked to Australia per Shropshire England in early April and arrived back in late May. He was awarded two war medals, the ‘British War Medal’ and the ‘Victory’ medal. The prior was bestowed upon any solider that served overseas at any point during the war from the courtesy of King George V, issued in 1919. The latter refers to the medal given to all soldiers who fought between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, as presented by (scheme =AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=Commonwealth of Australia n.d.).

An article recorded by (the National Library of Australia 2014) explains his life after the war through an obituary. Bert’s first endeavour was to enrol himself in The University of Adelaide, where he would study to law, to become a solicitor. After obtaining his licence, he started up practice in Burra, where he stayed until April 1925, when he packed up and moved to West Wyalong, NSW. His intention of moving was to join the Messrs staff of G.P Evans and Englert; Bert remained with them for 12 months before ultimately leaving for Condobolin to partner with Mr George Carus Driffield.[18] [19] This would mark his final move through the country; having all his job affairs in order, Bert had contested the Calare federal seat, coming very close to selection but unfortunately was unsuccessful in his endeavours. That’s not to say that he had no success in his years, finding himself president of the hospital board and bowling league, secretary of the methodist church and honorary solicitor, and held the highest rank for the Masonic Grand Lodge of NSW. Bert was known for his outstanding generosity and kindness, even at one point giving away his shoes for a man who had none and then walked the next 5 kilometres without them; this information was recovered from Bert’s Nephew, Stephen Jacka. Bert married very late in his life to Miss Nella Cameron in 1946 at 49 years old; she would remain by his side when they travelled to Perth to spend a holiday; in the time they spent there, Frederic Senior, his father, had passed away. [20] Upon their return to Yongala, Bert had suffered a paralytic stroke, killing him in the span of two hours. Herbert Charles Hodby died on 17 April 1951, surrounded by his family.[21] His name is represented in three different roles of honour: the Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (2), Yongala Methodist Church Soldiers Roll and Yongala Roll of Honour.

Bert was a hard worker his whole life, taking his failures on the nose and moving past them; having been placed as a sapper, his work was extremely expectant of him. The rank ‘sapper’ indicates that the soldier will be an engineer of sorts; Bert was part of the team that built a ‘rocket firing device’ as recorded by the unit diaries. Even though it is not explicitly mentioned that Bert was part of the building process, he demonstrates attributes of integrity through most of his after-war endeavours; most notable would be his continuous show of leadership after multiple presidencies over clubs and boards. Bert fought his way through life to find meaning and new attainments for capture; his integrity was nothing short of developed when he met his end.

[1] Herbert had dark brown hair and a set of grey eyes; as he got older, he became accustomed to his nickname, Bert.
[2] He undertook his schooling at Yongala public school, which resided only a few minutes from his home. (see figure 1)
[3] On his school enrolment papers, it is seen that Frederic, Bert and Hilda have their names put down for registration. (see figure 2)
[4] (See Figure 3)
[5] The store was called F. Hodby’s General Store.
[6] (See Figure 4)
[7] Vignacourt was for British, Chinese, French, Indian, Australian, and American troops to rest.
[8] From the 4th-5th of April, Bert was most likely filing his paperwork in the regimental depot in England Abbeville.
[9] In late May, both troops were stationed in France.
[10] The enemy began closing in on Dernancourt and Henancourt.
[11] Constant breaks in lines eventually lead the routes to be diverted in alternate directions.
[12] The office was closed within the week and reopened in Beaucourt.
[13] (see figure 5)
[14] There were two casualties and two wounded in the assault.
[15] (see figure 6)
[16] The hospital was a produced from the military on Endell street, it was in England, London.
[17] Synovitis is a disorder that affects the cartilage and tissue; it essentially strips both, leaving the joint to be damaged and causes multiple different types of arthritis.
[18] A small amount of time went by before Driffield’s passing on the 25th of May 1927, as stated by (UBC Web Design 2019).
[19] Bert was left a prestigious practise, one taken all through New South Wales and owned by one of the most accomplished and renowned men of his time.
[20] Mr and Mrs Hodby returned to Yongala for the funeral but did go back to Perth for the remainder of their holiday, only to visit his mother upon their return home.
[21] Bert’s burial took place in Yongala cemetery next to his beloved sister and father.

Biography References

Explore Australian war and military memorials, honour boards and statues. (2020). Vwma.org.au. https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials

Grave Memorial Records - Find a Grave. (n.d.). Www.findagrave.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=Albert&middlename=&lastname=Jacka&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=&locationId=&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=r&plot=&page=1#sr-248506425

Herbert Charles Hodby (1897-1951) - Find a Grave... (n.d.). Www.findagrave.com. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112189419/herbert-charles-hodby

National Archives of Australia. (2019). Home page | naa.gov.au. Naa.gov.au. https://www.naa.gov.au/

Sapper Herbert Charles Hodby. (n.d.). Www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10398214

scheme =AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=Commonwealth of Australia, D. of D. address=Russell O. (n.d.). title | Victory Medal | ADF Members & Families | DPG | Honours & Awards | Department of Defence. Www.defence.gov.au. https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/medals/imperial-awards/world-war-one/victory-medal

The AIF Project. (2016). Adfa.edu.au. https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/

the National Library of Australia. (2014). OBITUARY - HERBERT CHARLES HODBY - Lachlander and Condobolin and Western Districts Recorder (NSW : 1899 - 1952) - 18 May 1951. Trove; Trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214292344?searchTerm=Herbert%20charles%20Hodby

UBC Web Design. (2019). George Carus Driffield | Monument Australia. Monumentaustralia.org.au. https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/community/display/113611-george-carus-driffield

Vignacourt | Australian War Memorial. (2022, March 15). Awm.gov.au. https://www.awm.gov.au/wartime/58/vignacourt

Jacka, S. (2024) Conversation with Georgia Jacka, 7 June