Lieut. E. C. Hobkirk, R.N. H.M.S. “Boadicea

Ernest Chamberlain Hobkirk

7 Jul 1850 Born, Malvern, Worcester, England

9 Aug 1864 Entered Navy as a Naval Cadet

11 Sep 1865 Naval Cadet appointed to HMS Terrible (Frigate, Mediterranean)

2 Apr 1867 Appointed Midshipman on HMS Minotaur

26 Nov1868 Appointed acting Sub-lieutenant to the HMS Ariadne (Frigate, Particular Service)

24 Jun 1870 Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant

10 Jul 1872 Appointed as Sub-Lieutenant to HMS Bellerophon (Iron Screw Ship, Channel Squadron)

17 Feb 1874 Promoted to Lieutenant

1874 Lieutenant studying at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich

7 Sep 1875 Lieutenant on HMS Hector (Iron Ship, Coastguard Service, Southampton) called as a witness for a court martial on board H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, for the trial of Mr. George Eyres, Senior Lieutenant of H.M.S. Hector, in regards to charges of Eyres’ drunkenness

18 Apr 1878 Lieutenant on HMS Boadicea (Corvette, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa) landed with her Naval Brigade during the Zulu War. Accompanied the Ekowe Relief Column; present at the battle of Gingihlovo, 2 Apr 1879 where he commanded the front right corner of the square, who’s Gatling gun was the first to fire; accompanied the Brigade to Port Durnford; South Africa Medal with clasp ’1879’; Served ashore from 19 Mar to 10 Jun 1879

22 Jul 1882 Lieutenant on HMS Hector (Iron Ship, Coastguard Service, Southampton)

1884 Appointed to HMS Proctor (Gunboat, Australia Station)

20 Mar 1884 Placed on the Retirement List

13 Apr 1886 Hospitalized at the Hospital for the Insane, New Norfolk (later known as the Royal Derwent Hospital), Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), Australia

1910 Died at New Norfolk, Van Diemen’s Land, Australia


Petty Officer Tom

HOBKIRK, Ernest Chamberlain, Lieutenant, 1879: of the “Boadicea” Landed with her naval brigade during the Zulu War; accompanied the Ekowe Relief Column; present at the battle of Gingihloro, 2 April 1879; Accompanied the brigade to Port Durnford (Zulu Medal and Clasp)

DNW
Date of Auction: 28th March 2002
Sold for £620
Estimate: £500 - £600
South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Lieut. E. C. Hobkirk, R.N., H.M.S. “Boadicea”) fitted with silver ribbon buckle, nearly extremely fine £500-600

Footnote
Ernest Chamberlain Hobkirk entered the Royal Navy on 8 February 1870, becoming Lieutenant in February 1874. As Lieutenant of Boadicea, he landed with her Naval Brigade during the Zulu war, accompanied the Ekowe Relief Column, was present at the battle of Gingihlovo, 2 April 1879, and accompanied the Brigade to Port Durnford. He was mentioned in despatches as having commanded a party at Gingihlovo. He retired at his own request in March 1884, probably due to the death of both his father and mother in the previous year. His service record shows that he took to consuming excessive amounts of wine at this time, Commander Richards noting, ‘I have found it necessary to take exception to his wine accounts & eventually to stop them.’

Steve

Hobkirk was on shore from 19th March 79 - 10th June 79 .
90th

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Officers and men of HMS Shah and H.M.S. Boadicea, Fort Tenedos, Zululand, 1879 with Gatling--Lt. Carr standing second from right; Petty Officer 1st Class H. Ransome seated behind Gatling; Lt. Drummond standing third from right; Midshipman Hewett seated in front of Gatling left; Surgeon Vasey standing fourth from right; Lt. Hobkirk standing seventh from right; Surgeon Connell standing eighth from right; Ordinary Seaman R. Goodall standing ninth from right

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Isandula, nice photo.