County: Cornwall
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: 24/07/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold watch chain & pendant, to:
37th Company, Royal Engineers –
25622 Sapper Key HOBBS [Hobb]
Presentation made by Miss B. Williams, in the schoolroom at St Mawgan.
Inscribed: "Presented to Sapper Key Hobb, 37th Co., R.E., by the parishioners of St Mawgan, for valued services in South Africa, 1899 to 1902".
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Cornish & Devon Post, 12th July 1902
Home from the Front.
The usually quiet parish of St Mawgan in Rydar was thrown into a state of excitement on Thursday evening last, on account of the homecoming of Sapper Key HOBB, R.E., son of Mr John Hobb, of “The Traveller’s Rest”, Trevarren, the gallant young soldier, who was called up as a reservist, having served two years and eight months at the front and taken part in several important engagements in the South African campaign. Along with 2,400 others, young HOBB was despatched from South Africa in great haste to attend the Coronation festivities, the troopship making the passage from Cape Town in the excellent time of 16 days and two hours. Having reached his native parish, the horse which drew the carriage conveying the young soldier was unharnessed at St Mawgan Cross, about 1 ½ miles from his home, and the hero on the hour was drawn by a number of his old friends and admirers to his home. This hospitable place being reached, the evening was given up to rejoicing and jollification, there being some country dancing to the stirring strains of the “fiddle”, and the little hamlet was decorated with flags. A movement is on foot among Sapper HOBB’s friends to present him with some tangible token of appreciation of his meritorious conduct at the front, and safe arrival home. The opinion of one who has seen so much active service is worthy of record, and among other things young HOBB holds these opinions: That the enemy have been a mixed multitude, including a large number of Germans and Frenchmen, and even some deserters from the British army. The Boer has a great dread of the sword and bayonet, in fact, he carried neither, and when his rifle magazine was exhausted, he invariably threw up his arms and cried for mercy. That the Free Staters have been, and are, far more bitter against the British than the Transvaalers. He considers that the blockhouse system has been the cause of the ultimate British triumph. As regards generals, Buller still stands first in Tommy Atkins’ estimation; in fact, a vast number of our soldiers have Buller tattooed on some part of their body in token of their admiration. The new British colonies offer every chance for the acquirement of wealth if not overrun by immigrants. Very few of the large towns have been much injured in the late war, the destruction being largely confined to the demolition of farm homesteads and small hamlets. Our young hero passed through the campaign without a scratch, although his comrade was shot in action.
Western Morning News, 28th July 1902
PRESENTATION AT ST MAWGAN.
At St Mawgan, Miss Willyams, at a public meeting of welcome, presented Sapper Key HOBB, 37th Co. R.E., with a gold watchchain and inscribed pendant, on behalf of 120 subscribers, “for valued services in South Africa, 1899 to 1902”. Rev. W.H.F. Wayne, rector, presided. Mr Arthur Willyams mentioned that Sapper HOBB’s father had four sons serving the King – three in the army and one in the navy. A musical programme included recitations and a song by Major Weeks, songs by Mrs John Brewer and Miss White, violin solo by Miss R. Gilbert, London, and pianoforte solo by Miss White. The last-named and Mr C. Lee were the accompanists.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 31st July 1902
A large and representative assemblage crowded the schoolroom at Mawgan on Wednesday evening week to do honour to Sapper Key HOBB, 37th Co., R.E., from South Africa. The rector (the Rev. W.H.F. Wayne) presided, and the presentation was made by Miss B. Willyams. It consisted of a gold chain with pendant, which bore the inscription: – “Presented to Sapper Key Hobb, 37th Co., R.E., by the parishioners of St Mawgan, for valued services in South Africa, 1899 to 1902”. The subscribers numbered over 120. Sapper HOBB was introduced by Mr A.C. Willyams, and feelingly responded. The father of the recipient, Mr John Hobb, has four sons serving King and country – three in the army and one in the navy.
