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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 326

Four: Colour Sergeant H. Hoskins, 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, wounded in October 1914, he was later killed in action on 24 May 1915

1914 Star, with clasp (9423 Sjt. S. Hoskins R.War.R.), note incorrect initial; British War and Victory Medals (9423 C. Sjt H. Hoskin. R.War. R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Harry Hoskin), this with two soldered mounting pins on the reverse, very fine (4)

Harry Hoskins was born and baptised as Henry Charles Hoskin in Epsom, Surrey in 1885, the son of Harry and Catherine Hoskin. He was educated at Epsom Union School from 28 September 1891 to September 1893 and later at Snitterfield Council School from September 1893 - 1900. Both Hoskins' parents died sometime between 1891 - 1893, he and his two siblings became orphans, who were then adopted and lived in Snitterfield. At some stage an 'S' was added to the family surname of Hoskin.

A gardener's boy, he enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and in 1911 Hoskins, then a Corporal, was serving with the 1st Battalion in India. He is entitled to an India General Service Medal with the clasp North West Frontier 1908.

Hoskins is listed as being killed in action on the 24 May 1915 after the Battalion had been ordered to support the Dublin Fusiliers near Shell Trap Farm. The Battalion was diary for that day is transcribed below.

24th May 1915 - La Brique: Heavy rifle fire from the front at 3am. This was followed by Gas which reached us at 3.30. Regiment was ordered to stand to arms & put on respirators, these proved very effective in all cases where properly adjusted.

Wieljte Farm: Orders received to advance in support of Dublin Fusiliers towards Shell Trap Farm, part of the farm now being occupied by Germans. Under very heavy shell fire and gas shells Regt advanced to 1st Support Line trenches. A & B Coys were moved out to the left to get into a position behind Cross Road Farm ready to advance.

During this period a good deal of the front trench was occupied by Germans on both sides of the Farm and a further advance was impossible owing to machine gun fire. Orders were received to occupy and hold 1st Support Line trenches.

Casualties: Captain Sir. G Lacon wounded, 95 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.

The Melton Mowbray Times and Vale of Belvoir Gazette of 18 June 1915 published a short obituary of Hoskins.

'Colour Sergeant H. Hoskins of the Warwickshire Regiment has been killed in action. As a sergeant, Hoskins, an Uppingham man went out with the first Expeditionary force and was in the memorable retreat from Mons. Coming back to the Aisne he was wounded through the right lung in October and invalided home. On returning to the front in May he was promoted to Colour Sergeant and met his death in Belgium. Hoskins had served 12 years in the army and rejoined at the outbreak of hostilities to complete 21 years' service. A letter to his fiancée was found upon him and was forwarded to her by a comrade, who said he had had an accident but met it bravely. The young lady feared the worst and the official news of his death was received a day or two ago. A married sister of Hoskins lives at Uppingham and another at Kew Gardens. These are his only surviving relatives.'

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Estimate

Starting price
£70