Background
Charles Hamilton Hobkirk was born January 2, 1894 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to
Ethel Margaret Dawson and Harry Russell Hobkirk. Documents reveal that
Ethel was born in Lancashire, England while Harry was from Charlottetown,
Prince Edward Island. While there are few stories detailing why Harry and
Ethel would be living in Winnipeg and then Toronto, the 1891 census of
Canada suggests that Harry was working as a military instructor when they
met. According to all census records, Charles had three siblings named
Annie, Ray, and Marjorie. Charles, Annie, and Ray would be born during
their family’s time in Winnipeg and Toronto, while Marjorie would be born
in Fredericton. After being involved as a military instructor in Ontario
until 1904, Harry and Ethel would move to Fredericton when he accepted a
position with the Royal Canadian Regiment stationed in Fredericton.
Charles’ family lived at 196 Regent Street and, according to newspapers at
the time, he was a star football player throughout high school and with
other area teams. In 1909, while still attending school, the 71st Regiment
Infantry Militia records reveal that Charles was also a member of the local
militia prior to the war. His younger brother, Ray, would join as a bugler
once he was old enough. At the time of his formal enlistment, Charles’
attestation documents show that he had been working as a bank clerk for the
Royal Bank of Canada at the Fredericton branch. His attestation also
reveals that when he enlisted in Sussex, New Brunswick, September 15, 1915,
he was nineteen years old. He was described as having blue eyes, fair hair,
and a fair complexion while standing six feet one inches tall. A taller
than average young man, after joining the 64th Battalion, he would begin
training in preparation for going overseas. He would never return home.
Wartime Experience
On March 31, 1916, Lieutenant Hobkirk embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia
for Liverpool, England, arriving April 9. Upon arrival, Charles would be
with the 25th Battalion over the next few months in England in preparations
for heading to northern France and southern Belgium fronts. He would sign
his will July 8, 1916, a month prior to leaving for France, leaving
everything to his father. On August 3, 1916, Charles arrived with his unit
as the Battle of the Somme continued throughout the region. Few words
reveal the futility and the staggering losses of the First World War like
the Somme. In the summer of 1916, the British had launched a major
offensive against German lines which would last months and result in
approximately one million casualties on both sides. Lieutenant Hobkirk
would arrive with the 25th Battalion in early September, near the village
of Courcelette, France.
According to Nicholson’s Official History, on the morning of September 16,
the 22nd and 25th Battalion’s second attack at Courcelette was launched in
broad daylight without any jumping off point. After ten minutes of “smart
bayoneting fighting” his unit, with the Fighting 26th Battalion from Saint
John in support, went straight through the town. As the 25th came under
counter-attack, over the next three days they would suffer 202 casualties.
Details would slowly emerge of Charles’ death on September 16, as letters
and newspapers would describe him charging like a lion while leading his
men. A few weeks after his death, the Daily Gleaner would publish a letter
written by a Nova Scotia soldier connected with Hobkirk’s unit, describing
Hobkirk’s bravery that day:
“We passed over our first line and went forward at the double through a
hell of fire. But we got through, driving everything before us and dug in
about 100 yards the other side of the town. Hobkirk and I raced through the
streets pot-potting at fritzes; some of the beggars put up a fight but, in
most cases, they put up their hands with “mercy komrade”. We bombed their
dugouts and captured machine guns and trench howitzers. Our battalion has
received the highest praise for the most gallant charge and probably
someone will write a more glowing account than I can. We held our trenches
till late on the night of the 17th, when we were relieved by
another battalion. We lost seventeen officers over three days; five killed,
twelve wounded, and about 275 men. Poor old battalion, we made our name but
at what a cost. We were twenty-four hours at one time without water and on
half rations. Poor Hobkirk, he fell at the head of his platoon, a gallant
solider. I can’t write about it now”.
Lieutenant Charles Hamilton Hobkirk was twenty years of age, leaving behind
his parents, siblings, and friends back home.
Lest We Forget
Lieutenant Charles Hamilton Hobkirk is buried at the Courcelette British
cemetery located in Courcelette, France. According to the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission, Charles is one of approximately 1,970 names honoured
here. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.