BX April 27, 1915
Brantford Reservist Will Receive Medal – Pte. Hodson’s Bravery is to be Recognized – Was Wounded on March 12th as Result of German Treachery
Private Ernest Hodson, Balfour Street, formerly employed in the erecting department of the Massey-Harris Company, left Brantford at the outbreak of the war in August to rejoin his regiment, the Second Bedfords, and has been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry under fire. Private Hodson, who has a brother, Fred W. Hodson, with the Second Contingent, was slightly wounded in the head on March 12 and was sent to Rouen hospital. The Brantford Reservist has had an exciting career, he having been a passenger on the ill-fated Empress of Ireland at the time of its destruction, and having been successful in saving the lives of two persons from drowning, one at Paris, Ontario and the other a foreigner, whom he rescued from a watery grave in the Grand River near Brantford about two years ago. He was a member of B. Company of the Dufferin Rifles for three years.
Parts of two letters received by his father, E. Hodson in Rushden, England, are given below:
I am sorry to say I have been slightly wounded in the head. This is another piece of German treachery. They raised a white flag and a party of us went to fetch them in, when they bowled us all over. Then our company charged them, and when we got near them they threw up their arms and surrendered. They are cowards when you get near them. They cannot face the British bayonets. Our company captured 70 in that charge. That is pretty good for one company, isn’t it? That was a battle. The German trenches are filled with dead; there are thousands of killed and wounded on both sides. It is not war; it is proper murder. I’ve never seen such a sight in my life, and I hope I never shall again. This is the greatest battle the British have had yet. It was great to see our boys charge with pipes and fags in their mouths and laughing but there were not many of them who came out of it. The Second Northans were near our regiment. I saw two of their companies cut up in a charge.
The second note follows:
I am being discharged from the hospital tomorrow. You will be surprised when I tell you that I have been recommended for the D.C.M. for gallantry under fire. This is all this time.
