Five: Chief Petty Officer T. Hobbs, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Boy 1Cl., H.M.S. “Invincible”); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Boadicea); British War Medal 1914-20 (114754 C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R. (P.O. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Vernon); Khedive’s Star 1882 (T. Hobbs, B.F.G., H.M.S. Invincible), mounted as worn; Memorial Plaque (Thomas Hobbs), some edge bruising and contact marks, generally very fine (6) £650-700

Thomas Hobbs was born in Yeovil, Somerset, on 9 April 1865. A Labourer by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on Boscawen in November 1880. He served in the Egypt Campaign 1882, when on Invincible, August 1882-August 1883, being advanced to Ordinary Seaman in April 1883. He was promoted to Able Seaman when on the Invincible in February 1885 and Leading Seaman on the Boscawen in November 1887. He served on the Boadicea, April 1888-June 1891, being promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class in April 1889 and Petty Officer 1st Class in September 1890. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer when based at Victory III in February 1898. He was pensioned ashore in April 1903 and joined the R.F.R. in April 1904. With the onset of war Hobbs was mobilized and based firstly at Victory I, then Vernon. He died of heart disease at Haslar Hospital on 20 December 1914, aged 49 years and was buried at Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery. He was the son of John and Ann Hobbs and husband of Eliza Hobbs of Shaftsbury Raod, Henstridge, Somerset. Sold with copied service paper. Memorial Plaque in card envelope with accompanying slip.