TOPIC:

hi there, I'm trying to track down info on a Gunner named Samuel Wess Hobbins, Reg #29738, served with New Zealand's 68th Battery (although has a reference to "effective 88th Battery RFA". One record I have says he deserted, but I cant find anything else on him! I have the Kings SA medal with his name on. Help!!

Samuel Wess Hobbins was British, he had no connection with New Zealand, he served in the Royal Field Artillery, in the New Zealand Battery of the Rhodesian Field Force.
The KSA is renamed and this particular one would not have been issued to him, moreover, he would have forfeited his medals when he deserted, to be fair, the medal you have might well have been worn by him at some stage as he went on to serve in the Great War and was entitled to the BWM and Victory medals.
A rather "interesting" man, although I am sure the army were pleased to be rid of him.
He actually served under an alias "Fredrick Clark" in the Diamond Fields Artillery.
His service papers have survived in WO364 and he has four entries on the medal rolls in WO100, WO100/196 page 98 and WO100/308 page 223 both confirm he was not entitled to medals, WO100/311 page 115 shows his "Alias" and WO100/255 page 124 confirms a four clasp QSA for this latter service.

WO364



WO100/196 page 98

Frank,

That's a awesome piece of research!

Best wishes
David

Good morning David,
I have to admit that I was asked for help by another member of this forum sometime ago when this medal was sold at Lockdales, needless to say, the member concerned did not buy it!
Kind regards Frank

djb wrote: Frank,

That's a awesome piece of research!

Best wishes
David

wow! That's amazing. Thank you soo much!!!

You are welcome!

craigkitchen wrote: wow! That's amazing. Thank you soo much!!!