Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"William Roy Hodgson (1892-1958), soldier and public servant, was born on 22 May 1892 at Kingston, Victoria, son of Robert Hodgson, schoolmaster, and his wife Margaret, née Willson. He was educated at the School of Mines, Ballarat, and, as a member of the original class of 1911, at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory. Graduating in 1914, he was posted to the Administrative and Instructional Staff, Australian Military Forces, on 15 August and three days later was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force. He embarked for Egypt in October as lieutenant in the 5th Battery, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade.

After the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 Hodgson was detailed as forward observing officer for his battery; his commanding officer subsequently praised his 'great gallantry' in a position of 'great risk and responsibility'. On the third day, however, Hodgson was wounded in the hip joint by a Turkish sniper. Reported dead, he was able to read his own obituary, while he lived to survive numerous operations in Egypt and England which left him with one leg considerably shorter than the other, necessitating the use of a walking-stick. Mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Croix de Guerre avec palme in 1916, he was invalided back to Australia next year. Undeterred by his physical disability which denied him the active service career in which he would undoubtedly have made his mark, Hodgson remained an army man at heart, with a quick mind and a bold spirit. He was attached to the A.M.F. General Staff, Army Headquarters, in Melbourne in 1918 and, after serving in the training and administrative sections, became head of military intelligence in 1925. He was promoted major on 1 January 1926. He resigned from the permanent military forces in 1934, being placed on the unattached list with the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel although he continued his involvement with military intelligence until 1936..." - READ  MORE  LINK (adb.anu.edu.au)