Ernest John Hobday

Ernest John was the only son of George and Selina Hobday (née Williams). His father George Hobday was born in Tamworth and his mother Selina Williams in Willenhall, Staffordshire. They were married in 1876 (O/N/D Tamworth) and had nine children of whom seven survived infancy/childhood: Edith birth registered 1878 (Tamworth), Frances Georgina b. 1879 (reg. Cannock), Eleanor b. 1881 (reg. Walsall), Ernest John b. 9 March 1888 bap. St Editha Tamworth 29 March 1888, Florence b. 1887 (reg. Tamworth), Elsie b. 1890 (reg. Tamworth) and Ethel May b. 1894 (reg. Tamworth). In 1891 George (40), a shoe maker, and his wife Selina (37) a tailoress, were living at Alma Place with their six children: Edith (13) a tailoring apprentice, Frances (11), Elinor (9), Ernest (8), Florence (3) and Elsie (under 1 year). By 1901 George and Selina had moved to Albion Street, Tamworth. Five of their seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Frances a tailoress, Eleanor a tape wrapper, Ernest a clerk (clothing factory), Elsie and Ethel (7). Ernest's family continued to live in Tamworth but he had moved to Nottingham by 1911 and was living at 11 Sherwin Street, Nottingham, a boarder in the household of a widow, Sarah Ann Topham (68) who kept a boarding house. Also in the household were Sarah's unmarried daughter Eva Mary (40) a dressmaker, and two other boarders. Ernest married Ethel Blanche Clay in 1912 (J/A/S Nottingham). Ehtel Clay was born in Kimberley on 24 January 1888. In 1911 Ethel, a dressmaker, was a boarder living with a widow Catherine Walker (67) a lace drawer, at 19 Ellen Grove, Blue Bell Hill Road (parish of St Bartholomew). Ethel and Ernest probably lived in Nottingham after their marriage. His widow did not remarry and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Ethel was living on Faraday Road, Nottingham; she was still working as a dressmaker. Also in the household was Charlotte Smith (b. 2 August 1874) who was also widowed and whose occupation was givenas unpaid domestic duties. Ethel Blanche Hobday died on 11 November 1975 (O/N/D Nottingham) .

In 1901 he was a clerk at a clothing factory, Messrs John Shannon & Sons, in Tamworth, but by 1911 was in Nottingham and working as a warehouse manager for the same company

He enlisted in Nottingham

Ernest John Hobday served with the 2/4th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Ernest enlisted in October 1916 and served in France from January 1917. He was killed in action on 8 March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He qualified or the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Date of birth: Baptismal record and family notices give his date of birth as 9 March 1883 but the Staffordshire Register of Births gives the date as 10 March. Date of death: family notices give his date of death as 9 March 1917, his birthday, and this is also the date given on WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Card. However, CWGC, UKSDGW and Registers of Soldiers' Effects give the date as 8 March 1917. WMR13745: Ernest John Hobday is also commemorated on St Edithas' parish war memorial, Tamworth Staffs - 'Hobday EJ' Tamworth Herald, 5 May 1917, report and photograph: ‘Roll of Honour News has come to hand that Private Ernest J Hobday, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, only son of Mr and Mrs Hobday, 19 Albion street, Tamworth, was killed in action on his birthday, March 9, 1917,. He was 34 years of age, and married, his wife residing at Nottingham. He had been employed by Messrs John Shannon and Sons at Tamworth, Walsall, and Nottingham, managing the warehouse at the latter place. He joined the army in October, 1916, and went to the front in January last.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Tamworth Herald, ‘Roll of Honour In Memoriam’, 9 March 1918: ‘Hobday. In loving memory of Ernest John Hobday, who was killed in action in France, February (sic) 9, 1917. ‘Gone but not forgotten.’ From his loving mother, father, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Tamworth Herald, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 March 1919: ‘Hobday. In loving memory of Private Erenst Hobday, who was killed in action on March 9, 1917. ‘Not gone from memory, not gone from love, but gone to his Father’s home above.’ Ever remembered by his loving mother and father, sisters and brothers-in-law.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) ‘In Memoriam’ notice published 13 March 1920: his parents were still living on Albion Street, Tamworth. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow, Ethel Blanche Hobday, was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his widow, Ethel Blanche Hobday (b. 24 January 1888).