John Robertson Hodge likeness

John Robertson Hodge cap badgeSergeant John Robertson Hodge

1/8th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service No: 8698

John Robertson Hodge grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of William (25/02/1855 - 10/05/1936) and Elizabeth McGladerie Hodge (20/08/1850 - 1930). Husband of Isabella Hodge (01/10/1883 - ) of 120 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge. They had 4 children - Isabella Irvine Hodge (10/08/1908 - ), Elizabeth McGladerie Hodge (24/02/1910 - ), Jeanie Adamina Stewart Hodge (22/01/1912 - ) and Marion Lindsay Hodge (27/08/1914 - ). From the 1891 Census - Address - 15 Newland Land, Craignuek, Lanarkshire - William Hodge aged 37, Elizabeth Hodge aged 40, Agnes Hodge aged 11, Robert Hodge aged 10, John Hodge aged 9, William Hodge aged 6, boarder James Brown aged 23. From the 1901 Census - Address - 3b Hutchison St, Coatbridge -William Hodge aged 46, Elizabeth Hodge aged 50, Elizabeth Hodge aged 25, Agnes Hodge aged 21, Robert Hodge aged 20, John Hodge aged 18, William Hodge aged 16, Sarah Hodge aged 9, Mary Hodge aged 5. John's Pension was awarded to his wife Isabella on the 19/02/1916.

Born / Resided

Muirkirk, Ayrshire / 120 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge.

Died

Killed in Action on the 28/06/1915 at the Battle of Gully Ravine, Cape Helles, Gallipoli

Enlisted

Glasgow 1915

Employed

Iron Puddler.

Age

33 / DOB - 18/12/1882

Buried / Remembered

Helles Memorial (Panel 93 to 98), Turkey.

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Allies landed on the peninsula on 25-26 April 1915; the 29th Division at Cape Helles in the south and the Australian and New Zealand Corps north of Gaba Tepe on the west coast, an area soon known as Anzac. On 6 August, further landings were made at Suvla, just north of Anzac, and the climax of the campaign came in early August when simultaneous assaults were launched on all three fronts. However, the difficult terrain and stiff Turkish resistance soon led to the stalemate of trench warfare. The Helles Memorial serves the dual function of Commonwealth battle memorial for the whole Gallipoli campaign and place of commemoration for many of those Commonwealth servicemen who died there and have no known grave. The United Kingdom and Indian forces named on the memorial died in operations throughout the peninsula, the Australians at Helles. There are also panels for those who were lost at sea, in one of the troopships sunk off Gallipoli. Over 20,000 names are commemorated on this memorial.

Additional Information

On the 11/05/1915 the Battalion became part of the 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24/05/1915, going via Egypt to Gallipoli, arriving there on the 14/06/1915. The Battle of Gully Ravine 28/06/1915 : During the space of June and July a series of attacks were mounted from Helles on the southern tip of the Peninsula. Prominent among these was the Battle of Gully Ravine, fought on the 28/06/1914 along the Aegean spine of the Peninsula in the wake of a moderate French success a week earlier. In the Battle the 29th Division would receive support from two other Brigades, the Indian 29th and 156th Brigade of 52nd (Lowland) Division. Plans for the attack were approved by Helles VIII Corps commander Aylmer Hunter-Weston, who remained hopeful that the prominent hill feature Achi Baba could be seized, and the attack duly began with the usual preliminary bombardment on the 28th June. Unfortunately for Hunter-Weston the attack conducted by the 156th Brigade, newly-arrived in the sector, went badly. Although they quickly reached Turkish trench lines without effective artillery support, they were subsequently thrown back by the Turks at heavy cost, which included the loss of their Commander Scott-Moncrieffe. FROM THE 8th BATTALION WAR DIARY NEAR GULLY RAVINE : 28th June - "1 machine under Lieutenant E MACLAY was with No.1 Company with orders to advance along with H.Q. up the Bomb Sap. 1 machine gun under 2nd Lt R. HUMBLE was brigaded with Captain PATTISON at the 'Kink' in the firing line. Bombardment commenced & lasted until 11.00. At 10.50 Rapid Artillery. Machine Gun & Rifle fire was opened by the Turks on our front-line trenches. Some casualties were caused by the artillery fire in the support trenches. At 10.30 one platoon of No.2. Company reinforced No.3. Company in the firing line. Nos 1 & 3 Companies went over the parapet No.1 closely followed by No.4 Company. No.2. Company simultaneously dashed over the support trench parapet & suffered heavy casualties before it reached the firing line. A few men of the Battalion reached the Turkish trench, the remainder were caught by Machine Gun fire from Right front. MAJOR FINDLAY C.O. & the Adjutant advanced with the supporting party up the communication trench & were both shot. Lieutenant STOUT signalling officer also went up this sap & was killed while endeavouring to help Major FINDLAY. Lieutenant G.A.C. MOORE led a bombing party up H.12. on the right & 2nd Lieutenant ROBERTSON up the sap. The M.G. under Lieutenant MACLAY took up a position in the sap & the other gun took up position at the junction of H12 & Firing Line. This gun was under Corporal MILLER as 2nd Lieutenant HUMBLE had been wounded. At this time the Battalion attack was seen to have failed owing to the TURKS Machine Guns not having been adequately shelled. Men began to dribble back to the fire trench. At about 11.30 the long grass between H.12. & our firing line caught fire. This probably accounts for the large number of missing. The ESSEX & HANTS took over our firing line about this time. The Battalion was relieved & spent the night in the Reserve & Support trenches". John was a member of the Congregational Church. He is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and John's Pension Records x 3.

Photos
John Robertson Hodge Medal Index CardJohn Robertson Hodge remembered at homeJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photoJohn Robertson Hodge additional photo

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