Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Second Lieutenant F. M. Hobbs, 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, missing, wounded and later confirmed killed in action on 14th September 1914, during the battle of the Aisne. He was part of the original British Expeditionary Force, landing in France on 13th August 1914, and served through the retreat from Mons and the Battle of the Marne.

1914 Star with clasp (2. Lieut: F. M. Hobbs. R.Fus.); British War and Victory medals (2. Lieut. F. M. Hobbs.); Memorial Plaque (Frank Matthew Hobbs), medals mounted on card for display and sometime framed, with Royal Fusiliers officers cap badge (converted to pin fitting with safety chain), small gilded locket made from a Royal Fusiliers officers button containing a small original portrait photograph (gilding worn), and a single bullion wire officers rank pip, medals and plaque extremely fine (4) £1200-1400

Frank Matthew Hobbs was born in Tonbridge Wells, Kent in June 1895, the son of Frank Henry and Jane Anne Hobbs, of 'Carnarvon', 15 Claremont Rd., Tunbridge Wells. He was educated at Ardingly College where he served in the O.T.C. winning a medal and the silver cup for efficiency for three consecutive years. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, 11th December 1913. He went to France with the B.E.F, landing with his battalion on 13th August 1914, and served through the retreat from Mons. He was present in the Battle on the Marne, the retirement on Paris, and was killed at Vailly, near Braisne, during the battle of the Aisne, 14th September 1914, by shrapnel wounds to the head.

The Battalion history records:
‘13th & 14th September 1914
The battle of the Marne began to merge into the battle of the Aisne. The bridges had been blown up, and when the battalion reached Vailly their only means of crossing was by a narrow plank which wobbled very suggestively as the men went across.

A position had to be taken up to the left of Rouge Maison Farm. When the battalion approached the spot it was pitch dark and pouring with rain. X and Z Companies pushed forward and took up an outpost line, just after midnight, on the Rouge Maison Spur. The other two companies occupied a hollow road in the rear ; and all spent a very wet night in the open. The importance of this bold advance in the dark was not realised at the moment ; but it soon became apparent from the German efforts to dislodge the Fusiliers from their position. The morning of the 14th dawned wet and foggy ; and it was at once seen that the depth of the battalion's advance had been too great for the extent of its hold on the plateau. One of Byng's posts was so close to the enemy main line that the Germans could be clearly heard talking. The two forward companies began to extend their line towards the left, W and Y being sent forward to support them. As W advanced to support X it was discovered that there was a trench about 300 yards from their right, and the company wheeled to face it. A patrol sent forward was immediately fired upon, and the position had hardly been disclosed before the battalion on the right was seen to be retiring. The Germans immediately profited by this mischance to take the Fusiliers' right flank in enfilade with machine guns, and many casualties were suffered. Cole and Hobbs fell at once.

The whole of the plateau now came under rifle, machine gun and shell fire, with the support of which the Germans attacked. Byng moved too far to the left and Ashburner, who had now resumed command of Y Company, ceased to follow and moved to support W. Ashburner's company was ordered to move to the cover of the steep bank west of the road and remain in reserve. These positions were held till nightfall, when the losses of the day were seen to have been extremely heavy. Captains Byng, Cole and Attwood and Lieutenant Hobbs were killed, Lieutenant Orred wounded, and 200 other ranks were killed or wounded.’

Hobbs was aged 19. He has no known grave and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Aisne, France.

Sold with a quantity of original correspondence including one letter sent home by Frank Matthew Hobbs on 9th August 1914, from Albany Barracks, Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. An original Telegram from the docks at Southampton, sent on 13th August 1914. Letters of condolence to his family on his death. Original transmittal slip for his medals, original Buckingham Palace condolence slip (these both mounted on card), original early photograph of the memorial panel at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre with his name inscribed, original press cuttings including photograph, copy service sheet for the dedication of a memorial window in his memory at the church of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells dated July 26th 1919. Original pocket Gospel of St John with his name inscribed. Original Programme for a 'Choral Commemoration of the Heroic Deeds of the First Seven Divisions Mons to Ypres 1914', held at the Royal Albert Hall on December 15th, 1917. Original Service Sheet for the dedication of the Royal Fusiliers Garden of Remembrance in 1949. Together with other copied research.