This year’s poppy appeal begins on October 29. The poppy production line has been busy at the Abingdon Royal British Legion in preparation.
There will also be enamel badges this year remembering 100 years since the Somme. Of the many names on the Abingdon War Memorial here is just one … ‘Heber John Hosier, DCM., 10, Thames Street, 8th Royal Berks (killed on the Somme, September 3 1916)’
Last year £40,000 was raised for the appeal in Abingdon. The Mayor is one of the collectors this year and will be doing stints in Tesco and the town centre. There will also be veterans and cadets selling poppies.
As my grandfather served on the Somme but survived I thought I would take a look at 17980 Pte. Herbert John Hosier DCM.
He was born in 1894 in Abingdon to John & Jane Hosier, after he left school he became a Ferry Boy residing with the Hawkins family at the Swan Inn Hotel Kennington. [1911 census]
I have not found his Army Service record, it may have been one of those that was destroyed in a bombing raid in WW11. He was killed on September 3rd 1916 and is interred in the :the Thiepval Memorial Cemetery.
In December 1938 it was announced in the House of Commons that in the event of war, a National Register would be taken that listed the personal details of every civilian in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This Register was to be a critical tool in coordinating the war effort at home. It would be used to issue identity cards, organise rationing and more.
On September 29th 1939 this register was taken.
I found his mother Jane and younger brother Alfred b.1895 were living in Saxton Road at different addresses, Alfred was married his mother appears to be living alone.
I would have liked to find out how he was awarded the DCM as there is no mention of it on his Medal card, I found the war diaries for his regiment but it hasn’t revealed any clues.
HI JRB, D.C.M is against his name on the Abingdon Roll of Honor from WWI.
Hi JRB, you should be very proud of him, apparently the DCM is only trumped by the V C, it’s the highest award for bravery given to N. C O’s ( non commissioned officers) while doing my research on family history I found the National Archives an amazing font of info as is the Gazette, good hunting