Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born at the Glengarry Private Hospital, Mosman, Sydney 26/8/1923. 2nd child to Harry Bensley Hoggard and Catherine Margaret Williams, 39 Upper Avenue Rd, Mosman, then 293 Ernest St, Nth Sydney. Brother to Marie Nancy Hoggard, born 1919.

Grandson of Charlies William Hoggard (Builder and Architect, Mosman, Sydney) and Emma Bensley (born Woodstock, South Africa to James and Emma Bensley, 1 of 6 children). Charles and Emma met and married in Woodstock, The Cape, South Africa (25/9/1894, St Mary's Church). Charles William Hoggard was the eldest child (of 4) to Robert Hoggard (Agricultural Laborer) and Annie Elizabeth Fallsdown (Dressmaker) of Kilham, Yorkshire, England. Charles listed his occupation on his marriage certificate as a coach builder. Their residence as listed on the baptism records of their children was 2 Observatory Rd, Woodstock. Emma's brother James Bensley was an Inspector of Railway works in Woodstock. He was a witness to the baptisms of their children.
Charles and Emma had three sons:
1. Harry Bensley Hoggard, born around 1896, Woodstock, South Africa
2. Charles Ernest Hoggard, born 2/12/1895, baptised 5/1/1896, Parish of Woodstock, The Cape, South Africa.
3. Herbert James Hoggard, born 9/6/1899, baptised 20/8/1899, Parish of Salt River, The Cape, South Africa.
Charles listed his occupation as a builder on the baptism records.

Following the death of their third child, Emma and the two oldest boys returned to England where they were recorded in the 1901 census living with Charles's brother Ernest Edwin Hoggard (Journeyman Joiner) and his wife Sarah Anne Harrison, at Rudston, Yorkshire East Riding.

Sometime after that, the family migrated to Sydney Australia, where Charles William Hoggard established a successful business as an architect in the Mosman, North Sydney area.

Their son Harry married Catherine Margaret Williams in Manly in 1918. They had two children - Marie Nancy and Robert John.

After finishing school Robert got a job as a clerk with the Sydney City Council, George St.

He enlisted in the Reserves during WWII on 29/1/1942, at No2 Recruiting Centre, Sydney. I believe he was attached to 2nd Division HQ, No. N236125 (2 A.O.D.)
After 6 months in the reserves he enlisted in the RAAF 18/7/1942, just short of his 19th birthday. According to Australian War Memorial records he was part of No. 1 Flying Training School, Point Cook (Course 30). He was awarded his Flying Badge on 19/5/1943. He embarked for the UK from Brisbane 1 month later, 15/6/1943.

Robert undertook Advanced Flight Training from 31/8/1943 to 25/1/1944 (presumably in England). He received his commission 25/7/1944. His file states he was qualified to fly Tiger Moths, Oxfords, Wellingtons, Stirling and Lancasters. He was discharged from the RAAF 24/7/1944 to join 15 Squadron, Mildenhall, Suffolk, where he flew Lancaster bombers.
He flew 26 successful missions with 15 Sqd before being hit with enemy flak on the 2nd Nov 1944 over Holland while returning from an important bombing raid over enemy territory. They were hit 7 minutes after leaving the target at ~15,000ft. The Wing Commander reported that his aircraft crashed into another (‘L’ HK.612) as it lost control and crashed. At least two of the crew were able to bail out of the falling plane and survived. FO Hoggard was the captain of the flight and went down with the plane (Lancaster III PB. 115 ‘W’). His body and two others were recovered and were buried on the 4th Nov in the Eindhoven (Woensel) Cemetery, Holland (now known as the Netherlands), Grave No. 204, Plot KK.

His parents received the telegram at 4:15pm on the 4th Nov, the day he was buried. At the time of enlistment his parents lived at 39 Upper Avenue Rd, Mosman, then moved to 293 Ernest St, North Sydney. His grandmother Emma Bensley was still alive at the time and was also living in the Mosman area. Her husband Charles William Hoggard, and Robert’s grandfather died 3 days before Robert enlisted. Perhaps he had made a promise to his grandfather, or perhaps it was the grief.

Robert’s father Harry died 10/10/1977 and his mother 19/6/1991. Their ashes are interred together on the SW Terrace Wall 122, memorial 10, in the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens. Also with them is Harry’s mother Emma Hoggard (nee Bensley). Robert’s sister Marie died 16/5/2005 in Mosman and appears not to have married. She is likely also interred in the Memorial Gardens (not verified).

Robert never married, nor did he have any children.