The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Sergeant Charles Hodgson

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Charles Christopher Hodgson

Ancestor's date of birth: 1859

Ancestor's date of death: 1930

Cause of Death: Not stated

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born in Carlisle UK, a carpenter by trade. From all accounts a bit of a scoundrel, being in and out of bankruptcy, but supported his family with the help of his wife, who divorced him in 1891. Believed to have been in Capetown working prior to the war. He came to Australia after serving with Brabant's Horse. He put his age down to join up again with 3NSWMR with his son, Harold Hepworth Hodson, having just returned from South Africa

Service Number: 157

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Sydney

Unit: 'A' Sqn 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles

Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 11/04/1900

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service

Murray Page: 126

Contingent: Fifth New South Wales

Ship: Ranee, Date of Sailing: 21/03/1901

Other Boer War Service: Served as 4451 Sergeant in Brabant's Horse from 11 April 1900 until discharged 5 November 1900. He enlisted in Cape Town.

Memorial details: No details provided.

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen and King's South Africa Medals with clasps.

Personal Characteristics: 'A bit of a scoundrel'.

Reasons to go and fight: No details provided.

Details of service in war: On 5 November 1899, Major-General Sir Edward Yewd Brabant, KCB, CMG raised the Light Horse regiment known as Brabant's Horse. The top strength of the unit was 600, all ranks, including South African colonials, Australians, British, Canadians. The unit saw much action against Boer commandos. Brabant's Horse was disbanded in Cape Town on 31 December 1901. The third New South Wales Mounted Rifles served April 1901 - April 1902 in Free State and East Transvaal including Boer breakthrough at Langverwacht (24 February 1902).

Service and life after the Boer War: Returned to Australia: 3 June 1902. Joined the 5th Australian Commonwealth Horse as a Trooper until injured by kick in the back by a horse at General's Inspection 19 May 1902 (the day his unit left for South Africa). He was discharged from his Regiment 2 days whilst practically a cripple later after being taken to Walkers Convalescent Hospital where he spent 49 days. After a complaint to the Secretary of Defence, he was granted £15 as full and final compensation.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: John Hodgson, Wallsend NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Carole Goodyer, Sylvania NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: great granddaughter

 


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RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields