Lives of the First World War

This signed photograph is in the small collection left by Frederick William Smith, Private, Royal Fusiliers, 19171.

Captain Michael Reginald Kirkman Hodgson. Unit: 2nd Battalion, attached to the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Death: 17 March 1915, killed in action near Ypres, Western Front. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. | CWGC family information: son of Robert Kirkman Hodgson, J.P., D.L, and Lady Norah Hodgson, of 13, Eaton Terrace, London, S.W.1. Brother of Captain Maurice Kirkman Hodgson. of the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (HU 115731). | Head portrait press cutting

Captain MRK Hodgson. This photo is mounted on thick linen card.

Captain Michael Reginald Kirkman Hodgson 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, based on: a. “Captain” written on reverse. b. Riding breeches (tight fitting with patches on inside of knees), “while serving in India ... his ponies ran first and second for the Lucknow Army Cup”. c. Distinctive moustache. d. Overseas postcard. e. High resolution scan shows the clear, smooth skin of a man in his 30s not his 50s. In 1913 Captain Hodgson was 33.

Captain Michael Reginald Kirkman Hodgson 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, based on: a. Expensive mount. All F W Smith’s pictures of non-commissioned officers are printed on postcards. b. Distinctive, faint mustache having gap over upper lip. c. Hunting with cheetahs was hazardous and expensive, an officer’s recreation. d. Allan Smith, Frederick William’s son, recalls this picture but is uncertain of the person’s identity. e. The man doesn't look like Frederick William Smith; Frederick is not known for wearing a mustache and this man has a longer, slimmer face. f. Captain Hodgson & F W Smith (& Bertie Arthur Smith) served in India with 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers at Jubbulpore. g. The facial expression is notably different from the signed photo, frowning, eyelids half closed - natural anxiety perhaps, and facing the sun outside.

Writing has not been translated.

Assuming MRK Hodgson joined Sandhurst aged 18, in 1898, and the photo was taken then, the Hodgson family ages were: *Robert Kirkman Hodgson: 48 *Honora Janet Hodgson: 40 *Francis Wentworth Kirkman Hodgson: 21 *Michael Reginald Kirkman Hodgson: 18 Maurice Kirkman Hodgson: 17 *Celia Emily Hodgson: 16 Patrick Kirkman Hodgson: 14 Denys Kirkman Hodgson: 11 *In the photo. Honora ‘Nora’ Janet Hodgson is the aristocrat, daughter of the ninth Earl of Cork. Robert Kirkman Hodgson was a Magistrate and Partner in Barings Bank, the son of an MP, merchant & Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. Both look imposing in the photo. The high resolution scan shows Robert and Honora are smiling ... well at least not scowling.

"Captain" written on reverse by Pte F W Smith