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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. S J Hobbs

 

Sydney John Hobbs was born on 15th July 1916 in Wandsworth, London, the son of Arthur James Bray Hobbs and Alice Hobbs.

He was employed as a draughtsman in the Deptford Board of Works.

Hobbs joined the RAFVR about January 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on 1st September 1939. After completing his basic training he was posted to 5 OTU Aston Down on 6th May 1940.

 

 

He converted to Blenheims and was then posted to 235 Squadron in late May and served with it throughout the Battle. His flight was posted to RAF Aldergrove on 19th November 1940 where it combined with a flight from 236 Squadron to reform 272 Squadron on the 21st.

 

 

On 21st 1940 December Blenheim IVF L9415 XK-T became lost in bad weather and ran out of fuel. The crew baled out safely and came down at Lough Swilly, County Donegal in the Irish Republic. The aircraft came down at Sladran, near Buncrana in County Donegal.

 

Above: While in Ireland Hobbs was allowed to marry his fiance Joan Moira Greenland on 7th June 1941. His crewman Sgt. DV Newport is standing on the right.

The pilot Hobbs, Sgt. HW Ricketts and Sgt. DV Newport (all Battle veterans) were interned in the Curragh Camp but later returned to RAF service either by escaping or being released. Hobbs escaped in June 1941.

 

Above: another shot of internees in Ireland.

Standing L to R: Sgt. HW Ricketts, F/O PF Mayhew, F/Sgt. D Sutherland, Sgt. DV Newport, F/O LJ Ward, Sgt. RG Harkell, P/O WA Proctor, Sgt. GV jefferson, P/O AR Covington.

Kneeling L to R: Sgt. NV Todd, Sgt. SJ Hobbs.

 

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We are indebted to Dennis Burke of 'Foreign Aircraft Landings in Ireland' who has extensively documented the incident involving Hobbs, Newport and Ricketts, the complete account can be seen at http://www.ww2irishaviation.com/l9415.htm

Additional data and all images courtesy of family relatives via his site.

 

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Hobbs was killed on 14th August 1941 serving as a Sergeant with 143 Squadron, a Beaufighter coastal reconnaisance unit. Beaufighter IF T4648 crashed and burst into flames on the approach to Dyce.

Sgt. A Handley was also lost.

Hobbs is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery.

 

 

 

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