John Henry Hodgson was my grandfather, a person I have some memory of but over time these memories have faded. He was, like my father, pretty strict but a lot of that I feel was just a facade. I know he loved us and enjoyed our visits on weekends. We were all he had after my grandmother left him to follow my aunt (their daughter) over to Australia where my aunt was following a modeling career. Late in my grandfathers life he had a stroke and was admitted to Cornwall hospital where I think he died. My dad visited him (along with us) every weekend and I will always remember old Mr. Pike who was in the bed next door. I suppose we also visited him also as he never seemed to have visitors. Well on to a bit of history about my granddad. My granddad was a 'Sapper' (engineer) during the First World War. He was also a war hero. He fought in Gallipoli and also in France (whereabouts I am not sure) but he was wounded. He received the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of action. He also received a medal from the French government for his actions. I wish I had more information about this but I don't. Granddad would never speak of the war...NEVER. By trade he was a master carpenter so after the war he bought and sold hostels and boarding houses, doing them up and selling them for a profit. This was hard work and I remember my dad saying he went to 27 schools because of all the moves. Maybe that is why my grandmother moved out...who knows!!! In his final years granddad bought a home at 23 Victory Rd, Langholm Auckland. He had a big backyard where we used to get a penny for every white butterfly we swatted (they used to eat his cabbages). I cannot remember anything else, so I will end this bio now and add things when I find more information. Granddad this memorial is for you. I know you are looking down on us and you have grandma, dad, and mum beside you. God bless you always. Derrick
John Henry Hodgson was my grandfather, a person I have some memory of but over time these memories have faded. He was, like my father, pretty strict but a lot of that I feel was just a facade. I know he loved us and enjoyed our visits on weekends. We were all he had after my grandmother left him to follow my aunt (their daughter) over to Australia where my aunt was following a modeling career. Late in my grandfathers life he had a stroke and was admitted to Cornwall hospital where I think he died. My dad visited him (along with us) every weekend and I will always remember old Mr. Pike who was in the bed next door. I suppose we also visited him also as he never seemed to have visitors. Well on to a bit of history about my granddad. My granddad was a 'Sapper' (engineer) during the First World War. He was also a war hero. He fought in Gallipoli and also in France (whereabouts I am not sure) but he was wounded. He received the Military Medal for gallantry on the field of action. He also received a medal from the French government for his actions. I wish I had more information about this but I don't. Granddad would never speak of the war...NEVER. By trade he was a master carpenter so after the war he bought and sold hostels and boarding houses, doing them up and selling them for a profit. This was hard work and I remember my dad saying he went to 27 schools because of all the moves. Maybe that is why my grandmother moved out...who knows!!! In his final years granddad bought a home at 23 Victory Rd, Langholm Auckland. He had a big backyard where we used to get a penny for every white butterfly we swatted (they used to eat his cabbages). I cannot remember anything else, so I will end this bio now and add things when I find more information. Granddad this memorial is for you. I know you are looking down on us and you have grandma, dad, and mum beside you. God bless you always. Derrick
