Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born 27 November 1895 in Malvern, Victoria

Father John Henry Hobbins and Mother Ellen Hobbins (nee Fraser)
Albert lived with his parents at 25 Napier Street, Essendon, VIC on enlisting.

Sister:   Annie May King (nee Hobbins)
             lived at 8 Hurd Street, Portland, VIC (1967 - applied for Gallipoli Medallion)

Next of kin in service:
Brother
5395   Corporal Henry Bartlett HOBBINS - 1st Pioneer Battalion
           married: Sarah Jane Hobbins, lived at 190 Park Street, Essendon, Victoria
           14/01/1916    enlisted in Melbourne, VIC  (39 years 6 months of age)
           04/04/1916    embarked Port of Melbourne, VIC onboard HMAT A14 Euripides
                                as a Private with 7th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
           12/05/1918    returned to Australia onboard D9
           03/06/1918    discharged from service
           14/06/1952    passed away at Port Fairy, Victoria
           Buried in:       Port Fairy Cemetery, Port Fairy, VIC

Previous military service
2 years Senior Cadets - 23rd Infantry; Served in the Citizen Forces

Described on enlisting as 18 years 9 months of age; single; 5' 7 3/4" tall;
11 stone; dark complexion; brown eyes; dark brown hair; Presbyterian

20/08/1914     enlisted in Melbourne, VIC

04/09/1914     appointed to Broadmeadows Camp

20/10/1914     embarked Port of Melbourne, VIC onboard Transport A9 Shropshire
                      as a Driver with Field Artillery Brigade 2, Battery 4

08/01/1915     joined Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces

27/02/1916     Gunner with 2nd Field Artillery Brigade - Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt

22/03/1916     proceeded to jin British Expeditionary Forces, ex, Alexandria
28/03/1916     disembarked into Marseilles, France

18/12/1916     sick to hospital

22/05/1917     joined AGB Depot, Havre, France      

05/08/1917     rejoined 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, Belgium            

01/10/1917     killed instanteously by a shell - as he was riding on a limber (cart)
                      (he and 6 horses died together) - Hell Fire Corner, Menin Road, Ypres,
                      Belgium

03/10/1917     Buried at:
                     Dickebushch Cemetery (by mates of his in his battery)
                     Major Oakley conducted the service
                     a cross was erected with his name and number on it

02/01/1918      stated by Corporal 4011 Tom Toogood - 4th Battery, Harefield (London)
                       "I saw him killed by a shell which also killed 6 horses going into action.
                        At Ypres on the Menin Road alongside the Railway embankment at
                        10 o'clock. He was buried near where he fell and there was sure to
                        have been a Cross and probably prayers. Where he fell was well within
                        our lines. He was a good boy, best boy God ever allowed to live.
                        Big fine looking chap about 23."

26/01/1918       stated by Gunner 5079 Lawrence William Boyes -2nd AFA, 4th Batty,
                        Australian Camp Rouelles, France
                        "He was rather stout, medium build, aged about 23. I saw him killed on
                         the Menin Road, near Hell Fire Corner, riding up on his way to the battery
                         in October. A shell killed him outright. I lifted him off of the limber and put
                         him on the side of the road. His body was practically cut in two. We had to
                         leave him. A fatigue party was sent out next morning but could not find him.
                         The Pioneers said he was buried, but we could not trace the grave."

07/02/1918        stated by Bombardier Francis Eric Howard - 2nd Field Artillery Brigade
                        "I saw him killed by a shell in the battery position at Hell Fire Corner.
                         He was buried at Dickebushch Cemetery by mates of his out of the battery.
                          A cross was erected with his name and particulars.  I only knew him in
                          the battery.  He was an original man and came from Victoria."

03/05/1918       stated by Corporal 867 Stephen Finnerty Brogan - 2nd Field Artillery Brigade
                        "I knew casualty.  He was a man about 5ft 7 ins, well built, fair complexion,
                         about 22 years of age know as 'Bert'. He was an original 4th Battery man
                         and he went into Broadmedows Camp on the 19th August 1914 and he
                         embarked in the transport "Shropshire" on the 20th October 1914, and was
                         a lad porter in the Victorian Railways.  Casualty was placing a gun in position
                         at Westhoek Ridge.  A shell exploded near him killing him instantly.  I did not
                         see casualty killed but I saw him when he was brought back to the wagon
                         lines at Dickiebusch.  His chief wounds were about the head and body.
                         He was buried at the Dickiebusch Cemetery two days after his death and I
                         attended the funeral.
                         Major Oakley conducted the service and a cross was erected with his name
                         and number on it."
                         
24/01/1919        Private 12022  Edward Austin WILSON - was also a witness at the funeral

28/02/1918       exhumed and reburied in:
                       Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium
                       Plot I, Row I, Grave No. 2

His name is commemorated on Panel 12 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.

Medals:           1914-15 Star (6679), British War Medal (2603), Victory Medal (2603)
                      Memorial Plaque and Scroll (333437)

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  15/01/2017.  Lest we forget.