South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


L/Corporal 4477 Cecil Anthony HOBAN - 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders

Killed in action on Tuesday 25th July 1916 aged 25


Military History

     
Theatre of War in Which Died Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Serre Road Cemetery No 2
     
First Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1st January 1916 in France  ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Attacks on High Wood (Battle of the Somme) After 25 July 1915 in Oxford Oxfordshire County Council Staff Memorial
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units                 
High Wood, Somme  
     

Circumstances of Death

Cecil is listed as being killed in action on 25th July 1916. The 4th Battalion war diary entry for the 25th July is transcribed below.

High Wood – 25 Jul 1916: Line pushed forward during the day in Wood and 3 new posts established. 1 above S.4.c.8.8 within 15 ? of German Sap from fortified house in wood. An empty concrete M.G. emplacement was occupied without opposition at about S.4.b.5.9, a German M.G. picked up & a post was established about S.4.b.3.8.  This post came under heavy M.G. fire from 2 guns & also rifle fire, 2/Lt Phillips being killed. These posts were dug, wired and connected up during the night.

At 9.20pm after preliminary bombardment. Lt Ross led a storming party against NE corner of Wood S.4.d.3.8. The attack failed completely, the trench was found heavily manned & apparently untouched by our artillery fire. The party was greeted with a shower of grenades & a cross fire of M.G. Lt. Ross was killed on the parapet. Owing to the number of shell holes, broken trees & smashed in dug-outs a large number of the raiding party failed to get up. The casualties among the 50 men who took part were very slight, 2 men failed to be accounted for though the ground was thoroughly searched.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1890 in Leamington Spa 4 Jan 1891 at Leamington Spa, All Saints
   
Parents Names Abode
Charles James and Kate Hoban  Both Charles and Kate died in 1909
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1891 - 9 Trinity Street, Leamington Spa 1901 - School age 
1901 - 4 Medina Mews, Hove, Sussex (aunt & uncle)  1911 - Law Clerk for Field and Son of Leamington                        
1911 - 16 Campion Terrace, Leamington Spa 1915 - Worked for Oxfordshire County Council
1915 - Not found   
   

Brother of Charles William Hoban who also fell