HOBBS, REGINALD FRANCIS ARTHUR,
Lieutenant, was born 30 January 1878, at Fullwood, Manchester, son of
Simpson Hockyett Hobbs, late Captain, 89th Foot, and Sarah Hobbs. He was
educated at Wellington College, and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich,
and joined the Royal Engineers 3 January 1898, becoming Lieutenant 3 January
1901. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, and was given the DSO
for his services at Kleinfontein. On 23 October 1901, at Kleinfontein,
Transvaal, the rearguard of Von Donop's Column was cut off while passing
through thick bush. The two guns of the 4th Battery, RFA, with the
rearguard, were put out of action, the teams being shot down and the officer
in charge and the gunners being killed or wounded. Lieutenant Hobbs rode
back, rallied the rearguard, got one of the guns into action, und fired it
himself, and finally fetched a team of horses and helped to drive the two
guns away to rejoin the main body, after the Boers had been driven off. The
following is the official record of his services: Took part in the advance
on Kimberley, including actions at Belmont, Enslin, and Modder River; was
present during the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29
November 1900; in Orange River Colony, May to November 1900; in the
Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to January 1901, and March 1901 and April 1901
to 31 May 1902; in Orange River Colony, March and April, 1901; also in Cape
Colony, January 1901 (Despatches [London Gazette, 17 January 1902]; Queen's
Medal with four clasps and King's Medal with two clasps). His DSO was
gazetted 26 June, 1902: "Reginald Francis Arthur Hobbs, Lieutenant, Royal
Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". He was invested by the King 18 December 1902. He served in East
Africa in 1903; took part in the operations in Somaliland (Medal with
clasp); was on Survey duty, Gold Coast, 24 September 1904 to 14 September
1905. He became Captain 3 January 1907, and was Officer for Technical
Duties at the School of Musketry, Hythe, 1 November 1907 to 31 December
1911. Serving in the European War, he was employed as DAA and QMG, 7th
Division, BEF, 31 August 1914 to 16 July 1915, and was promoted Major 30
October 1914. He was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, 17 July 1915, and AA and
QMG, 5th Division, and held this post with the British Forces in France and
afterwards in Italy until 26 February 1918, being given the Brevet of
Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1917. He was appointed DA and QMG (Temporary
Brigadier General), 17th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 27 February
1918; was given the Brevet of Colonel 3 June 1919. In July 1915, he was
created a CMG, and he was three times mentioned in Despatches (1914, 1915
and 1916). His chief recreations were Rugby football and athletics. He
married, 29 August 1906, at Assington, near Colchester, Frances Graham,
daughter of Sir William Stirling, KCB, and Lady Stirling. Their children
were: Reginald Geoffrey Stirling, born 8 August 1908; Peter Graham, born 19
March, 1911, and William Paul, born 6 April, 1914.
CB (m), CMG, DSO,
QSA (4) Bel M-R OFS Trans (Lt RE), KSA (2) (Lt RE), Africa GSM (1)
Somaliland 1902-04 (Lt RE), 1914 Star and Bar (Capt), BWM, Victory Medal
(Brig-Gen), Defence Medal, Order of Savoy (Italy) military breast badge.
Spink 1967 £115.
