1914 Star with copy clasp 5TH AUG - 22ND NOV 1914 (8324 PTE. E.B.J. HODGE. 2/DEVON:R.); British War Medal (8324 PTE E.B.J. HODGE. DEVON.R.); Victory Medal (8324 PTE. E.B.J. HODGE. DEVON.R.); War Medal 1939-45; National Fire Brigade Association Long Service Medal clasp Ten Years (12918 EDWIN B.J. HODGE)
Edwin Bartholomew John Hodge was born in Totnes in 1890. A Labourer by trade he attested for the 4th (Militia) Battalion Devonshire Regiment in February 1907, enlisting to serve with the Colours at Exeter on 28 March 1907. Posted to the 2nd Battalion at Devonport on 6 July 1907 he embarked with them at Plymouth bound for Candia, Crete to form part of the International Garrison serving on the island, arriving on 19 January 1909. Serving next in Malta and then Egypt before embarking with his battalion for France, disembarking at Le Havre on 6 November 1914. Wounded whilst serving on the Somme in late 1916 (possibly at Le Transloy on 7-9 November) he remained with the 2nd Battalion in France until being posted home to the Depot, Exeter on 1 April 1917.
He transferred to the Military Foot Police on 14 February 1918 and was appointed Lance-Corporal. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on demobilisation on 27 March 1919 and returned home to Totnes, where he was employed by the local council and volunteered for service with the Totnes Corporation Fire Brigade. Attesting at Totnes for four years’ service with Territorial Army he was posted to the 5th (Prince of Wales) Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 6 January 1925 and was promoted Corporal on 29 July 1928. Having attended annual training each year he was discharged after 6 years’ service on 5 January 1931.
Attesting again for ‘Duration of Embodiment’ at Exeter on 5 December 1939 he was posted Private to the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was granted War Substantive rank Corporal on 5 March 1940; serving at No 11 Depot RAMC he was found to be ‘Physically unfit for any form of Army Service’ and discharged 22 April 1940. His 139 days’ Second War service qualified him for the award of the War Medal 1939-45 which was issued to him on 26 October 1948.
He served as a Fireman with the Totnes Corporation Fire Brigade earning the Long Service medal with them.
He died at Totnes on 24 April 1971, aged 81.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with some research. Please note that the Fire Brigade medal is additionally privately engraved ‘Edwin B. J. Hodge’, the reverse engraved ‘Totnes Corporation Fire Brigade’, the Great War trio is polished and worn.
