HOBSON, Charles Edward (1873-1924).jpg)
Charles Hobson (Football 1892).
Charles Hobson was born on 15 November 1873, the son of Charles Perry Hobson and Miriam nee Delves, of Kilmore. He was enrolled at Geelong College as a boarder in 1891 until late 1892. He was a member of the 1st Football XVIIIs of 1891 and 1892 and was awarded a second prize in Elocution in 1892. The
Argus newspaper several years later in 1905 reported his participation at the Geelong College Sports Day by entering one of the Old Collegians races with a handicap of 14 yds.
He enlisted (1315) in the AIF on 24 August 1914 as Corporal CE Hobson, Brigade Ammunition Column and embarked for Egypt and Gallipoli on
HMAT A21 Marere on 20 October 1914. He was promoted Sergeant on 10 March 1915, commissioned on 16 August, and Lieutenant just before the Evacuation. After that campaign he served in France, transferring to 2nd Divisional Artillery on 1 January 1916.
In France he was wounded in action and recommended for the Legion of Honour - Cavalier on 25 April 1917, by Brigadier-General George Johnston, CRA, 2nd Australian Division, the citation read:
'Lt C E Hobson when the 1st Div embarked, joined as a Gunner. He has rendered excellent service in all ranks, took part in the Landing at Gallipoli, obtained his commission some months afterwards, and was transferred as my ADC to the 2nd Div. Artillery, serving in this capacity for some months. He then returned to duty with a Battery. Later he was appointed Temporary Captain and to command a heavy trench mortar battery. He was then appointed DTMO, and is now serving in a battery. He has been recommended for promotion to Captain, and the publication of this is expected in a few days. Lt Hobson has consistently rendered excellent service, and has at all times been an example and set a high standard to those serving under him. He has never been absent from duty for even one single day on account of sickness, and in my opinion deserves some recognition for devotion to duty and general efficiency.' He was also Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches, gazetted 28 December 1917, having been wounded in the stomach and back on 13 May 1917. He spent five months in hospital at Abbeville and London until October 1917. Charles Hobson returned to Australia on 1 November 1917.
Pegasus of August 1924 reported his passing shortly after the war:
'C E Hobson (1891) died suddenly at Moonee Ponds on the 15 May (1924). He had carried out his official duties as Stipendiary Steward at the Epsom races on the previous Saturday. Wounds received while on active service, as captain, caused the death of our old friend. Before enlisting he had long acted as Master of the Oaklands Hounds.' A longer obituary was published in the
Argus newspaper in 1924:
'The death occurred yesterday morning at St Aidan's private hospital, Moonee Ponds of Mr Charles Hobson, stipendiary steward to the VRC. Mr Hobson had been in bad health for some time as the result of a severe wound received in France while serving with the AIF. On Saturday he was at Epsom races, acting in his official capacity, but on Sunday became very ill, and had to undergo an operation, which was performed on Monday.
Born at Kilmore about 1871, Mr Hobson was educated at Geelong College, where he was successful as an athlete. He later played for a while with the Geelong Football Club. Mr Hobson was appointed stipendiary steward in 1918 in succession to Mr J Loughlin, and in this capacity he possessed the thorough confidence of all racegoers. He was in charge of the Oaklands Hunt Club hounds for 10 years, being master of the club for the greater part of that period. As an amateur rider he met with much success by winning the Oaklands Hunt Cup, Melbourne Hunt Cup, and Oaklands Point to point Steeplechase on his own horse 'Blucher' who was used by Mr Hobson as a hunter for many years. Other horses on which he won hurdle races and steeplechasers were J B (owned by Dr O'Brien, then a member of the committee of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club), 'Hest' and 'Woodfield' (both of whom were owned by Mr Hobson) and The Gawk'.. He was a fearless rider. Mr Hobson served for three and a half years with the AIF, both in France and on Gallipoli, holding the rank of captain. In France he was seriously wounded and for months recovery was not thought possible.
At the time of his death, Mr Hobson was living with his sister at Ascot Vale. In deference to a wish expressed some time ago by the deceased he will be buried in the Bulla Cemetery, in the heart of the country over which he hunted so often. ...' Sources: Pegasus August 1924 p34; 'Geelong Collegians at the Great War' compiled by James Affleck. p 214 (citing Pegasus; National Archives; Australian War Memorial); The Argus (Melb) 30 Nov 1905; The Argus (Melb) 16 May 1924 p4.