The AIF Project

William Vincent HODGENS

Regimental number1693
Place of birthTothills Creek, South Australia
SchoolTothill's Creek Public School, South Australia
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationFarmer
AddressTothill's Creek, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Hodgens, Marrabel, South Australia
Enlistment date6 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name50th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/67/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 11 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll50th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 12 December 1916

Other details from Roll of Honour Circular

'Awarded the Military Medal under heavy shell fire, he himself been severely wounded he secured help for a wounded officer (Corporal George Hobson), and refused help until the officer was attended to. He was wounded on the Somme and died in Hospital in England.' Details from Mother.

FateDied of wounds 9 December 1916
Place of death or woundingSomme, France
Age at death24
Place of burialBirmingham (Lodge Hill) Cemetery (B10. 422), Warwickshire, England
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
150
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Mary HODGENS, Tothills Creek, South Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'Extremely gallant behaviour on the 17th November, 1916, near FLERS. Although severely wounded (one leg broken and portion of jaw shot away) he crawled about 200 yards, which took him over an hour, to get assistance for one of his comrades, who was also severely wounded. on arrival of stretcher bearers he refused to be dressed or taken away, allowing his comrade to receive first attention, although in great pain himself at the time.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116
Date: 25 July 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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