Herbert Edward Hosking (1886-1917)
Indian-born man who attended Durham School and served in the 66th Punjabis
Born in India on 19 February 1886, Herbert Edward Hosking was the oldest son of Edward and Annette Hosking. Herbert’s father. Edward, born in London, worked within the Indian Civil Service and married Annette, who was originally from India, on 12 August 1875. In 1891 Herbert was living with his aunt, Elizabeth, in Ramsgate, Kent, along with his four older sisters. They are all listed as scholars so it is likely they were staying with their father’s sister to study in England.
By the time of the 1901 census Herbert, at the age of 15, was studying at Durham School. From here he went on to continue his education at Christ Church, Oxford University, beginning his study in 1904.
In 1905 Herbert joined the East Surrey Regiment and in 1907 became a lieutenant. Having served in this regiment he transferred to the Indian Army in 1909, finally becoming captain of the 66th Punjabis. Herbert joined his regiment to fight in Mesopotamia and was put in command of a company of the 62nd Punjabis. It was whilst on a mission on 3 February 1917 to capture a Turkish trench on the Hai River, that Herbert was killed by a bullet wound to the head.
Herbert is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq and remembered locally on several memorials. One of these is the chapel at Durham School. There are 97 steps to climb to reach the chapel, each one representing a man who had died who had attended Durham School. A war record for Durham School gives further details about Herbert which can be found on the North East War Memorials site. There is a photo of Herbert at the following link:
Christ Church College, Oxford, website;
https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/fallen-alumni/captain-herbert-edward-hosking
Herbert’s younger brother Cyril was also killed during the First World War whilst serving with the Royal Flying Corps on 26 October 1914.
Civil Parish: Durham Crossgate
Birth date: 19-Feb-1886
Death date: 03-Feb-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Ramsgate, Kent (1891 Census)
The School, Crossgate, Durham (1901 Census)
1 Staverton Road, Oxford (Address at time of death)
Education: Durham School 1899
Christ Church, Oxford University 1904
Family: Parents: Edward Hosking, Annette Hosking nee Taylor
Siblings: Emily May Hosking, Evelyn Hosking, Mildred Hosking, Ethelwyn Hosking, Kathleen Hosking, Sylvia Hosking, Harold William Hosking, Cyril Gordon Hosking
Military service:
East Surrey Regiment
Lieutenant
66th Punjabis, 62nd Punjabis
Captain
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Organ and Plaques 1914-1918 St Margaret of Antioch, Durham
War Record 1914-18, Durham School
Chapel 1914-18 1939-45, Durham School
Gender: Male
Contributed by Fiona Johnson 15-Oct-2018
