Personal info
- Name: Frederick John HOBSON
- D.O.B: 23rd Sep, 1873
- D.O.A: 18th Aug, 1917
- D.O.D: 18th Aug, 1917
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, 20th Battalion, 1st The Central Ontario Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Hill 70, near Lens, France 18 August 1917
18 August 1917
The First World War 1917
On 15 August 1917 Hill 70 near Lens was taken by Canadian troops (see above) and fighting continued there until the 25th. There was a major German counter-attack on 18 August.
Citation
During a strong enemy counter-attack a Lewis gun in a forward post in a communication trench leading to the enemy lines, was buried by a shell, and the crew, with the exception of one man, killed. Sjt. Hobson, though not a gunner, grasping the great importance of the post, rushed from his trench, dug out the gun, and got it into action against the enemy who were now advancing down the trench and across the open. A jam caused the gun to stop firing. Though wounded, he left the gunner to correct the stoppage, rushed forward at the advancing enemy and, with bayonet and clubbed rifle, single handed, held them back until he himself was killed by a rifle shot. By this time however, the Lewis gun was again in action and reinforcements shortly afterwards arriving, the enemy were beaten off. The valour and devotion to duty displayed by this non-commissioned Officer gave the gunner the time required to again get the gun into action, and saved a most serious situation.