Walter and Emma (nee Crawford) Hobden

Ted's parents and siblings

Edward Crawford Hobden

My grandfather, Edward Crawford Hobden was born on the 24th March 1899 in one of the Lodge Houses of Ashburnham Place, East Sussex. His forefathers had been in Ashburnham / Penhurst for at least 4 generations previous: His father, Walter (1861-1935) his grandfather, Henry (1827-1897), his great grandfather, Richard (1783-1859), and his great great grandfather, also Richard (1761-1818) Ted, as he was known, left school at 13 and helped his father on the Ashburnham Estate. His mother, Emma (nee Crawford) had come to Ashburnham from Mitcham, South London in June 1880 to work for the Earl as 2nd housemaid. She was paid £16pa and stayed there until March 1883. She married Walter the following year. On the outbreak of the First World War, Ted enlisted, lying about his age to get in. He joined the Royal Fusiliers and as a 16 year old Sergeant saw action at the Battle of Loos. Subsequently Ted was sent home from the war when it became known that he was not 18. In March 1917 Ted presumably received his official call up papers and it was then that he served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).