Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas and Florence HOGG, The Avenue, Surrey Hills, Victoria

DEATH OF LIEUT. W. T. HOGG.
News has been received by Mr. Thos. and Mrs. Hogg, "Kinnoul," The Avenue, Surrey Hills, of the death from wounds in Belgium,  of their second eldest son, Lieutenant William T. Hogg. The only information so far to hand is that he was wounded in front of  Polygon Wood, and died at Popernique on September 2. The deceased soldier was born at Surrey Hills, and was 31 years of age  when he met his end. This makes the second son of Mr and Mrs Hodd who has paid the supreme sacrifice for King and empire,  the youngest boy, Gunner Charles de B Hogg, having been killed in action in France last December at the youthful age of 20  years. The Hogg family has set an example of noble sacrifice, love of country, and devotion to duty. Three other sons are still  fighting for the great cause making a total of five - an achievement which any family might well be proud. These are Captain J.F  Wallace Hogg, who went through the Gallipoli campaign, and who came on the way from San Francisco to enlist; Captain J.M Hogg, and Lieutenant Bruce Hogg. None of them had a days illness whilst on active service, as indicating the sturdiness for the  work. The youngest who enlisted when only 19 years old, hes buried in far away France. The late Lieutenant w. T. Hogg enlisted  in December 1915, but did not leave these shores for some time later. He arrived in France in January of this year. There was  fierce fighting to get into Polygon Wood, and a struggle lor the racecourse, then the clearing of the foe right out of the wood. It  was after all this time Australian work had been done, and the troops deployed into the open, that Lieut. Hogg received his fatal  wound. He was a most enthusiastic soldier, and extremely anxious to enlist earlier than the circumstances or his home work  would permit. He determined, however, to fully qualify himself, and for many months in 1915 he attended Colonel Watson's  honorary school for officers at Camberwell. Every evening, Saturday afternoons, and many Sundays were given up to acquiring theoretical and practical military knowledge. He was an apt pupii, and made rapid progress, and amongst the family letters are  several recognitions of his good work at the school right on to the firing line in Flanders. Securing a commission in the A.I.F., he  was trained lor some time at Duntroon, and afterwards attached to the Geelong camp for training reinforcements for the 29th  battalion, with whom he sailed later on. Passing by the work done at Salisbury Plains, Lieut. Hogg was in the Bapaume action,  and after Bullecourt, in common with the rest of the Australians, he was resting behind the lines. The so-called resting comprised attendance at a Lewis gun school course, and the hard physical and tactical training all were going through to be fit to do the job  of smashing the Hun line, which they did so finely through Polygon Wood. A small matter of training was route marching,  and these fine boys of the 29th did fifteen miles all day, with every man carrying 60lbs. dead weight, and did the test without  turning the proverbial hair. The Germans found them indeed to be as hard as iron and fit for anything within the limits of human  accomplishment.
Lieut. Hogg was well known throughout this district, and was a member of Surrey football and swimming clubs, but was best  known as a most expert yachtsman. He was one of the three chosen to sail the 'Rip,' and win back to Victoria the coveted Northcote cup. Yachtsmen speak of his prowess in this great sport with loving memory. He was also a good golf player, and a  member of Riversdale club, which was closed on Saturday last as a tribute to his memory.