Boxer.

Called up as a reservist - from Saskatchewan, Western Canada.

Brother of Bert Hodson, Frederick Hodson & Leonard Hodson.

Rushden Victim of Treachery - Germans Use The White Flag - “They Bowled us Over”
“Cowards When You Get Near Them” - German Trenches Piled with Dead

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hodson, of Rushden, who have four soldier sons, two of whom are in France, have received news that one, viz., Pte. E. Hodson, has been the victim of German treachery, and he is now in No. 5 General Hospital at Rouen, where he was taken after being wounded. Prior to the war, Pte. E. Hodson was for four years in Canada and was called up as a reservist at the beginning of the war. He arrived in England in September, and after 48 hours’ leave with his parents, proceeded to the depot of his regiment (2nd Beds). He was in training until about the end of October, when he was sent to the front. Writing to his mother from Rouen, under date March 16th, he says:-

“I am sorry to say that I have been slightly wounded in the head, but it is getting along nicely. This is another bit of German treachery. They raised the white flag and a party of us went to fetch them in, when they bowled us all over. Then our company charged them and when our men got near them they threw down their rifles and surrendered. They are cowards when you get near them. They cannot face the British bayonets. Our company captured 70 in that charge, that is pretty good for one company, isn’t it. This is ‘some’ battle, the German trenches piled with dead. There are thousands killed and wounded on both sides. It is not war, it is proper murder. I’ve never seen such sights in my life and I hope I never shall again. This is the greatest battle the british have had yet. It was great to see our boys charge. They went into it with pipes and fags in their mouths and laughing but there were not many came out of it. I don’t suppose there are many of our battalion left by this time. The 2nd Northants were near our regiment. I saw two of their companies cut up in a charge. Are we down-hearted?” NO!!!!”

Mr. and Mrs. Hodson’s three other soldier sons are Privates B. Hodson (1st Northants) who is at the front, Fredk. W. Hodson, of the Canadian Contingent (now in Canada), and Leonard Hodson (Northants Territorials), stationed at Peterborough.

Another DCM for Rushden! - Private Ernest Hodson Recommended for a Great Honour - Heroism Under Fire - A Fine Family of Soldiers - A Modest Postcard

.... The military history of the Hodsons is interesting. Bert was the first to enlist, and Ernest enlisted two days afterwards, both being now reservists. Ernest is 25 years of age and celebrated his birthday - on Jan 6th last - in the trenches.

These two are well-known boxers, and both got into the final Northamptonshire competition, Bert proving the winner. Pte Bert Hodson, having enlisted in the Northamptonshires, was sent to Aldershot and after about 12 months' training was moved to India, being stationed there for about two years. On finishing his term of three years service he emigrated to Canada and from there went, as stoker on a vessel, to Sydney, in Australia. On August 1st last year, when it looked as if there might be a war, he reported himself to the authorities in Australia as a reservist, and on the outbreak of hostilities he came back to England, and he has been at the front since January last. When he was in Canada, by the way, he joined the Scotch Territorials.

Local Fighting Family - Rushden Soldier Expecting to Return to the Front

Private Ernest Hodson, 24297, 3/4th Essex Regt., (formerly 2nd Bedfords), son of Mr and Mrs C Hodson, of Crabb-street, Rushden, has been home on a short leave. He returned to Halton Park West Camp, Wendover, Bucks, last week.

On Saturday morning they received a letter from him in which he said he was expecting to go to Egypt or Salonika any day. He is 29 years old.

Pte Ernest Hosdon's brother Pte Bert Hodson was killed in September as reported in the "Rushden Echo" at the time.

Fred, another brother, is a private with the Canadians, now in action in France, and the youngest, Leonard, has been promoted Lance-Corpl in the 2/4th Northants (Territorials) and is in training at Exning, near Newmarket.