Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Edward David Hoskin was born on 8 September 1896 at Tavistock, South Canterbury, the oldest son of an Australian father, Edward Hoskin (senior) and German mother, Lucy Jane (née McKenzie). He was educated at St Andrews and Hook schools in South Canterbury. His father died in 1907 and was buried at Esk Valley Churchyard. A farmer at St Andrews when he enlisted on 12 October 1917 at Timaru, Edward named his mother as next-of-kin. At the time he was still serving with the Territorials (2nd Regiment). For his pre-departure training Edward was initially posted to the 41st Reinforcements on 20 May 1918, but was transferred to A Company of the 42nd Reinforcements on 13 July 1918, before finally emnarking on the Tofua on 1 August 1918. The war was lamost over when Edward disembarked at London on 4 October 1918 and was posted to the Rifle Brigade reserve. In fact he arrived too late to be dispatched to France and see action. But, two months after his arrival he was admitted to Hornchurch Hospital, suffering from influenza. As the war was over the armed forces were faced with huge numbers of men on active service, all wanting to go home. As there weren't enough ships to transport them at once, the return was staged. As Edward was only recently arrived he had to wait as men who had been on active service for much longer were shipped home first. Finally, on 18 July 1919 Edward embarked for New Zealand on the Cordoba from London. Shortly before arrival in New Zealand he was again hospitalised on board, before disembarking in New Zealand on 4 October 1919. Edward was finally discharged from service on 30 October 1919, having served one year and 164 days. For his service he was awarded the British War Medal (as he did not see active service he was not eligible for the Victory Medal). On his return the community of St Andrews also presented Edward a commemorative medallion to recognise his service overseas - although they did mis-spell his surname on the inscription on the reverse.

After the war Edward worked as a farmer, baker and a butcher. He went on to marry Agnes May McCallum in 1928. After many years of mariage Edward and Agnes were cremated at Salisbury Park Crematorium, Edward in 1977, nine months after Agnes had passed.

Several of Edward's cousins served in World War One - Cecil Lancelot Hoskin, James Nicholas Gordon Hoskin (known as Gordon) and Artileur Hoskin. An uncle, George Albert Hoskin, served in the South African War. .

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [21 November 2020]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [21 November 2020]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [21 November 2020]; School Admission records [21 November 2020]; Salisbury Park Crematorium plaque image & record [21 November 2020]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available.

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.