Thomas Hodgson (1898-1918)
Weardale labourer who served in several battalions of the DLI
Thomas was born in 1898, son of Joseph, a farmer, and Jane Hodgson of Wearhead. In the 1911 census the parents lived with their five sons and one daughter at Lark Seat in Eastgate.
Thomas enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), on 5 February 1916, aged 18 years and 5 months. He gave his occupation as labourer for a timber merchant. During his military service, he was transferred to various battalions of the DLI. In August 1917 he embarked for Boulogne with the 14th Battalion, but, by February 1918, he had been transferred to the 19th Battalion. Thomas was killed in action on 14 October 1918 in Flanders aged 21. The only personal effect returned to his family was one photograph.
He has no known grave but is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel, West Vlaanderen, Belgium.
He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Civil Parish: Stanhope
Birth date: 1898
Death date: 14-October-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Lark Seat, Eastgate
Employment: Labourer for a timber merchant
Family: Father: Joseph Hodgson
Mother: Jane Hodgson
Brothers: Herbert, Ernest, Harry, John
Sister: Alice
Military service:
Durham Light Infantry (4th/14th/19th Battalions), served in Flanders
Regimental number: 40238
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Tyne Cot Memorial Panel, West Vlaanderen, Belgium
Saint John’s Chapel, village green, war memorial
Saint John’s Chapel, town hall, roll of honour
Gender: Male
Contributed by John B | Mel Brown
