Arthur Hodge (1880-1917)

Post date: Nov 30, 2015 5:0:52 PM

Arthur Henry was born on 21st June 1880 the first child of George and Harriet Hodge of Cottage Village, Teston. George is described as a labourer in the 1881 census and Harriet was originally from Wateringbury. By the 1901 census Arthur is still single living at home in Old Road, Teston with his parents and a younger sister, Daisy. Arthur is described as a Milk carrier on farm but by the time of his enlistment he is described as a Drayman (meaning the driver of a dray, a low, flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled generally by horses or mules that were used for transport of all kinds of goods, but by this time particularly beer). By 1911 he is married to Mabel, a Wateringbury born woman, and they are living in 3 room home in Teston, having been married for over 2 years.

In the May 1915 parish magazine the vicar gives a list of 13 men who had been rejected on medical grounds from service -presumably to stop any white feathers being given to them- and Henry Hodge is included in the list:

"I want to take this opportunity of publishing the names of those of our young men at home who have already felt the call and have offered themselves but have been rejected on medical grounds. Otherwise their staying at home might be misunderstood by those who would not know the facts."

However on 29th December 1915 he enlists in the navy and his record shows him as 5ft. 8 ¹/4 inches tall with a 39 inch chest. He had light brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. Surprisingly his record shows he had enlisted previously in August 1902 but only stayed one month before buying his way out.

Arthur joined H.M.S. Derwent, in February 1917, as a stoker 1st class. H.M.S. Derwent was a 550 ton destroyer with a complement of 70 officers and men. In August 1915 she was assigned to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, redeployed to Portsmouth in November 1916. She was equipped with depth charges for use in anti-submarine patrols, escorting of merchant ships and defending the Dover Barrage. In the spring of 1917 as the convoy system was being introduced the 1st Flotilla was employed in escort duties for convoys through the English Channel for the remainder of the war. On 2 May 1917 she struck a contact mine, laid by German submarine UC-26, off Le Havre, France. She sank with the loss of 58 officers and men.

Extract from Kent Messenger of 16 June 1917.

Arthur Hy. Hodge (Wateringbury)

Stoker R .N .

LOST IN THE CHANNEL.

The sad news of the death of A. H. Hodge,of North Pole, Wateringbury (who lost his

life through the sinking of one of H.M. destroyers in the Channel on May 2nd) was

received with sincere regret by all who knew him. Deceased (who leaves a widow) was 36

years of age, and had worked for many years at The Phoenix Brewery, before entering the

Royal Navy in December, 1915.

Arthur is on both the Wateringbury and Teston war memorials.