Roll of Honour 2023

P AGE 57

W ORLD W AR O NE (1914 - 1918) INCLUDING THOSE WHO DIED LATER AS A RESULT OF THIS WAR

S T . E DWARD ’ S S CHOOL , O XFORD R OLL OF H ONOUR

Name THOMAS GODWIN HOBBS (Sec Lt)

Lef SES 1905

Roll Number 1088 Died 23:08:1918

Set / House D

Arrive SES 1901

Where NEAR DOULLENS, FRANCE Serving with ROYAL AIR FORCE

Age 30

Buried Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Near Paris, France Remembered The Canadian Visual War Memorial, The St. Edward’s Chapel (Wooden Plaque) and The Cloisters Stone Memorial Born 1888 in Gosport, Hampshire, the second of three SES brothers (one of whom was also lost in this war). He won the Garnett (Long Distance Swimming) Cup in 1895 and the Junior Board Jump in 1904 and was known as a good all-round athlete. On leaving he was in the Middle Moderns Form. He left for Canada to farm in 1909 and when war was declared, enlisted as a Private in the 32nd Winnipeg Regiment of the Canadian Infantry. By May 1915 he was in France. He contracted rheumatic fever in the trenches, necessitating five months in hospital in October 1915. Returned to ‘light duties’ with his regiment in France early in 1916. In November 1917 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, Oxford Cadet Battalion, gained his wings and was promoted to Second Lieutenant in June 1918. He joined the 59th Squadron, Royal Air Force in Winchester in June 1918. He was awarded the DFC in July 1918 but died a month later after his aircraft was hit over Doullens and he was badly wounded. He had been hit by ground fire and due to his abilities had managed to land his aircraft safety, despite his injuries, but died shortly afterwards. ‘With very great pluck and skill he succeeded in landing the machine well our side of the lines, though he could only use his left arm. I feel I owe him my life by his courage and determination (his observer)’. ‘A skilful and gallant officer’ (Citation).