Hoskins, Henry

Family Grave

 Remembered with Honour at Helles War Memorial (Grave Ref Panel: 136-139) in Turkey  Lance Corporal Henry Hoskins, Service No: 9941 of the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Killed in action on 7th August 1915 aged 23 years.

Henry Hoskins was born in 1892 in Netherbury, Dorset. He was the son of George Legg Hoskins (born 1857) in Chideock and Maria Hoskins (nee Shute) who was born in 1853 in Chardstock, Devon. In the 1901 Census the family lived in West Milton, Poorstock, Dorset and George Hoskins occupation is listed as ‘Innkepper – Own Account’.  In the 1911 Census George Hoskin’s occupation is listed as ‘farmer’ and Henry’s occupation is listed as ‘farm helper’. Henry had four brothers and two sisters.

Henry enlisted at Wareham, Dorset on 16/8/1914 aged 21 years 9 months and his occupation was listed as ‘Dairyman’.  He was 5’6″ in height, brown eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion and his religion as C of E.

  It is understood that Henry’s battalion sailed from Liverpool on 3rd July 1915.  They called at Mudros on the 10th July, Imbros on 23rd July and arrived off Suvla Bay on 6th August, 1915.  Henry was killed on Beach A, Suvla Bay the very next day on 7th August 1915.  He was aged just 23 years.

Henry is remembered on the gravestone of his Mother and Father – George Legg Hoskins died 24th November 1917 and his Mother Maria ten years later in 1927 – in the Churchyard of St.Giles Church, Chideock (south eastern part of the churyard).  The headstone is inscribed IN LOVING MEMORY of GEORGE LEGG HOSKINS and MARIA HOSKINS and their SON HENRY killed in action 1915.

Henry is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, The Chideock War Memorial and the Dorset Regiment Gallipoli Roll of Honour.