HARRY BIRKETT HOGG 

C.W.G.C. remember an H.B. Hogg at the Bedford Cemetery Bedfordshire, (l.291), posted with the 2nd/5th Cheshire Regiment, Service No 2901, died on the 11th August 1916. No family details have been added. (The headstone, viewable on line at the Forster Hill Road Cemetery, Bedford, records the name as H.B. Hogg.)

The Cheshire Regiment Book on Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19; the 2nd/5th Regiment remembers 7 lads who had died, all on Home Territory, including a Harry Birkett Hogg, b. Northwich, Cheshire, e. Northwich, 2901 Pte., d. Home 12/8/16. (The 2nd/5th Regiment was used as a training Regiment with the intension of having men to replace losses in the 5th Battalion or they were men deemed not fit for an over seas posting and completed duties at Home.)

Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Henry Birkett Hogg in 1898 in Weaverham. The 1911 census shows the Hogg family living at 44 Flower Street, Castle, Northwich. They are all named Birkitt Hogg (Birkitt with an “i” not an “e”) as if it is a double barrelled surname. Head of the family is James, aged 50, Fitter at the Chemical Works, born Dudley, Staffordshire, followed by his wife Anna, 49, born Crewe, she was mother of eleven with eight surviving and with four living at home; Ethel aged 22, born Crewe; Nellie, 19, born Northwich; Ernest, 16, Apprentice Fitter, Chemical Works, born Northwich; Harry, 12, School, born Northwich.

Brunner Mond & Co. Roll of Honour records a James Birkett Hogg Pte. 2nd Border and a Ernest Birkett Hogg Pte., 7th K.S.L.I. at the Winnington Works, both lads returning home. (No reference to Harry/Henry Birkett or Birkett Hogg, Winnington or Lostock Works.)

N.A.M.C. there does not appear to be a medal card for Harry. Medals only being issued when the individual has served in a Theatre of War. No service records found.

The Army form for issue of a soldiers effects to his family, makes reference to Harry having a medical issue, not an injury.

Failed to find a newspaper article on the death of Harry. The following article details Harry’s brother Ernest being injured.

14th July 1916, Northwich Guardian. CASTLE SOLIDER WOUNDED PRIVATE ERNEST BIRKETT (Hogg is not now used!)

Mr. and Mrs Birkett of 44, Flower Street, Castle Northwich, have been notified in a letter from their son Private Ernest Birkett, that he was amongst the wounded in the “big push.” Writing from a hospital in Norfolk he states:- “I was wounded on Thursday, June 29th about midnight. It may seem a lot when I tell you I was hit in seven places but don’t upset yourselves in the least as they are not very large wounds. I have one in the right leg above the knee, one on the right thigh, two in the left arm and one on the left shoulder at the back and one on the side of the head. They are all a bit painful but the worst one is that on the shoulder and I think there’s a bit of shrapnel in it. I am going to be put under the X-rays to see if that is so.

We did get cheered when we landed at Dover. I have done some travelling since last Friday (June 30th) all the way from Ypres, where I was wounded, to where I am now in dear old Blighty. I am glad to get away from it all for a bit. I can tell you, for it has been nothing but bombarding all the time last week, as you will have seen from the papers.

Research Bob H.