9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
06/12/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
21
Summary
Robert Hogshaw was the youngest son of James and Martha Hogshaw of Crossglebe, Sandholes, Cookstown. He was an active member of Sandholes Presbyterian Church and Sandholes LOL, and was a member of Dungannon Company of Ulster Volunteers.
When the Ulster Division was formed he volunteered for service though only 17. Robert was wounded and spent some time in base hospital before rejoining his unit in Belgium. Robert Hogshaw was killed by a trench mortar.
Further Information
Robert Hogshaw was the youngest son of James and Martha Hogshaw. There was a James Hogsett who married Martha Hamilton on 16th May 1878 in Dungannon, according to GRONI records.
Robert Hogshaw was born in Cookstown about 1896. The GRONI records are no practical use in this case because the spelling of the surname makes the details almost impossible to find.
Family: James Hogshaw, Martha Hogshaw, Annie Hogshaw (born about 1884), Joseph Hogshaw (born about 1887), Minnie Hogshaw (born about 1889), John Hogshaw (born about 1892), Martha Hogshaw (born about 1894), Robert Hogshaw (born about 1896).
Robert’s mother, Martha Hogshaw died on 23rd November 1898, aged 40, in Cookstown. Robert was about 2 years old.
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 5, living with the family at house 11 in Kiltyclogher, Sandholes, Cookstown. His father was a gardener and domestic servant. Robert’s eldest sister, Annie, was house keeper and bringing up the children.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 14, working as a servant for the Mayne family at house 5 in Kiltyclogher, Sandholes.
Robert later became a member of Sandholes Presbyterian Church and Sandholes L.O.L.
He joined Dungannon Battalion of the U.V.F. Force.
When the Ulster Division was formed, he volunteered for service, though only 17 years of age.
Private Hogshaw was trained at Finer Camp and Randalstown, and went out with the first draft of the Ulster Division.
Private Robert Hogshaw took part in the advance on 1st July, when he was slightly wounded and was in base hospital for some time, before returning to the Somme front.
Private Robert Hogshaw was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 6th December 1916. Private Hogshaw was killed instantly by a trench mortar. He was just leaving to go to a new line when the incident occurred. He was twenty one years old
Two other men were killed along with Robert in the same incident. They were W. Ferguson, and R. Gallery, from Castlecaulfield
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd December 1916: Private Robert Hogshaw
Mr James Hogshaw of Cross Glebe, Sandholes, has received information that his youngest son, Private R Hogshaw, of the Inniskillings, was killed on 6th December in France. The deceased was a member of Sandholes Presbyterian Church and Sandholes L.O.L., and joined Dungannon Battalion of the U.V.F. Force. When the Ulster Division was formed, he volunteered for service, though only 17 years of age. He was trained at Finer Camp and Randalstown, and went out with the first draft of the Ulster Division. He took part in the advance on 1st July, when he was slightly wounded and was in base hospital for some time, returning to the Somme front. Major Peacock, writing on 10th December to his father says:-
‘He was a good soldier and will be missed very much by all who knew him. The only consolation that I can offer you is the fact that your son died as a soldier. He is buried in a soldier’s cemetery alongside many of his comrades who, like him, have made the greatest sacrifice a man could make for his country. My deepest sympathy in your great loss.’
Rev J G Paton, Coleraine, the Presbyterian chaplain, writing on the 12th December, says that the deceased was killed by a trench mortar. He was just leaving to go to a new line when the accident took place, and he died without pain.
‘His comrades, both officers and men, were very sorry to lose him, and all testify to his good character and bravery as a soldier, and send their heartfelt sympathy to you and yours, and pray that God will comfort you. I conducted the funeral service in a little cemetery behind the lines. Your boys effects will be sent you soon. Rev Mr Aiken, since coming to Coleraine, has been a member of my church, and often talked to me about you all.’
Mrs. Jane Swail (Isaac Black’s sister) remembered “wee Bob”, as she knew Robert Hogshaw, and said that Robert was working at the Manse in Sandholes when he signed up for active service. At the time Rev. Dr. Logan occupied the Manse.
Private Robert Hogshaw is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium along with a number of Cookstown men.
Private Hogshaw is commemorated at Sandholes Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour and on Cookstown Cenotaph.
The CWGC record Private Hogshaw as the son of James and Martha Hogshaw, of North Street, Stewartstown, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone and also that he was a native of Sandholes, Tullyhogue, Dungannon
