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Royal Diary: Kate and William visit Adelaide

CLAD in pink McQueen, Kate’s been given a DJ tutorial by the youth of Adelaide during the royal visit, while William’s turned his hand at graffiti.

Security chief slams Harry and Meghan’s fees

Gloomy details of Harry’s US life revealed

‘Rude’ Harry, Meghan note angers William

ON the third-last day of their Royal visit, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend the day in Adelaide and surrounds. Stay tuned for all the news and goss as it happens.

4:49pm: A more detailed look at Kate’s outfit from today:

News_Rich_Media: Kate's dusty pink Alexander McQueen outfit shows off one of the season's most popular colours.

2:30pm: The Royals have departed for Canberra, where they’ll be reunited with Prince George and have no further official engagements until tomorrow. Let’s look back at a few pics of their brief but busy day in Elizabeth, South Australia:

News_Image_File: Just call him Prince Wil.i.am. Picture: AFP

News_Image_File: Locals reported that Kate and William seemed genuinely interested in hearing about the issues faced by the youth in the area. Picture: AFP PHOTO

News_Image_File: Kate speaks to performers at the youth community centre The Northern Sound System in Elizabeth. Picture: AFP PHOTO

News_Image_File: Presented with a skateboard, emblazoned with the name ‘George’. Pic: Tricia Watkinson.

News_Image_File: Meeting a young local. Picture: Getty Images

News_Image_File: DJ Duchess drops the beat. Picture: Getty Images

News_Image_File: William, if this whole ‘Being a royal’ thing falls through, at least you can fall back on your DJ career. Picture: Getty Images

News_Image_File: Kate and Prince William watch a skate park display at the Northern Sound System. Pic: Tricia Watkinson.

News_Image_File: No-one’s going to tell you off for graffiting when you’re the future King of England. Pic: Tricia Watkinson.

News_Image_File: Unveiling the plaque for ‘Prince George Plaza’. Yep, he’s not yet one and he’s got his own plaza. Picture: Getty Images

1:30pm: William has passed up the chance to show off his scooter skills at a skate park in Adelaide for fear he might “stack it”. Prince William also tried his hand at aerosol art, adding his own touches to a billboard display.

News_Image_File: Kate and William in Elizabeth, South Australia today - royal wave down pat. Picture: Getty Images

Wills and Kate were treated to an exhibition of scooter and bike riding on the concrete bowl of the skate park, the action performed by young members of the Elizabeth Riders group.

Hosted by committee member Luke Haldenby, the royal couple watched on as the riders showed off their trick moves.

But when it came to having a go himself, 15-year-old Luke, said the Prince was a bit reluctant.

“He said he would probably stack it,” Luke said.

The Prince was also presented with a custom skateboard designed by local artist Casey Zechef which featured Prince George’s name. Luke said both the Duke and Duchess loved the gift.

News_Image_File: The Royals took in a skating demonstration, and even tried their hand at DJing and graffiti art. Picture: Getty Images

“He thought it was amazing, he loved it. Even Kate loved it too, she thought it was cool that it said George on it.” Other members of the riding group said they were impressed by William’s skills with the aerosol can, describing him as a “true Aussie”.

“He was actually pretty good considering that was his first time,” they said.

1:15pm: The Royals took their time greeting locals in the forecourt of the Playford Civic Centre before they head into the reception, their final engagement of the day.

It’s meet and greet time for South Australia – the Royals are outside the Playford Civic Centre #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/ERF1M05khh — TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) April 23, 2014

Having DJed earlier in the day, Wills is now trying his hand at graffiti:

The #Duke of #Cambridge tries his hand at spray painting street art. #William #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/tJrCF7Ups9 — Ten News Adelaide (@TenNewsADEL) April 23, 2014

And they’ve unveiled a plaque to acknowledge the naming of Prince George Plaza. Yes, nine months old and Prince George has his own Plaza - what were YOU doing at that age?

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge have unveiled a plaque naming the ‘Prince George Plaza’ in S.A #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/EC50xPt9qN — TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) April 23, 2014

1pm: Having the gift of a skateboard, the couple had a quick chat with the teens who performed for them and then headed off to the civic centre, where they’ll unveil the plaque for the forecourt renaming.

One local teen, Hikaru, 18, was eager for Kate and William to arrive at the reception.

“I don’t think anyone could be not excited,” he said.

He said he would probably ask the royals about life in the UK if he got the chance.

The couple’s final official engagement for the day is a reception at the Playford Civic Centre, attended by around 200 locals under the age of 30. There are reports some South Australian dignitaries feel put out they didn’t get an invite to the reception, but it’s a reflection of the day’s focus on the youth of the area, who battle high unemployment rates.

Walkabout has begun at last! pic.twitter.com/oYQKQADlav — HRH Kate Blog (@HRHKateBlog) April 23, 2014

12:50pm: The Royals at the skate bowl:

Now to the skate bowl…! #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/uhZbaDUlqY — TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) April 23, 2014

12:45pm: The Royal couple are now touring the local skate park in Elizabeth, where they’ll watch a skateboarding demonstration. It’s a short but busy day for the Royals - their official engagements are due to end at 1:15pm local time (although they are running behind schedule), when they’ll then fly back to Canberra to be reunited with Prince George.

12:07pm: This picture of the Royal arrival earlier gives a clear full-length look at Kate’s Alexander McQueen outfit:

News_Image_File: The Royals arriving in Adelaide this morning. Picture: Calum Robertson

12:05pm: DJ Duchess in da house! The Royals are enjoying a relaxed visit with the local youth of Elizabeth. Check out Kate hitting the DJ decks:

News_Image_File: DJ Kate in da house!

And DJ Will having a go:

" @9NewsAUS : And now William is having a go. #RoyalVisitAus #9News pic.twitter.com/iYnvecBSXy " — British Royals (@britishroyals) April 23, 2014

11:50am: More pics coming through of the Royal couple meeting locals at the Northern Sound System community centre in Elizabeth:

pic.twitter.com/u8VUQextXL — HRH Kate Blog (@HRHKateBlog) April 23, 2014

A young girl meets the #Duchess of #Cambridge and gives her a posy. #Kate takes the time to chat. pic.twitter.com/VUYPHyWZWs — Ten News Adelaide (@TenNewsADEL) April 23, 2014

11:45am: That was quick! The Royals have arrived at the Northern Sound System community centre in Elizabeth.

They're here! #Adelaide #RoyalTourAus @TenNewsADEL #EyewitnessNews pic.twitter.com/AsjNJXRZ2u — Alice Monfries (@alicemonfries) April 23, 2014

William and Kate will spend only about two hours in Elizabeth - named in honour of the Queen - but all of that time will involve the area’s young people.

Kate is wearing a dusty pink Alexander McQueen outfit with a flared skirt, while William is a navy suit and maroon tie.

The couple’s first stop is at a community music program which offers young people the chance to make and listen to music, and gives them a foot in the music industry door.

That will be followed by a demonstration at an adjacent skateboard park before the royals wind up their Adelaide stopover with a reception where they will mingle with a group of invited guests, all aged under 30.

Youth unemployment in Elizabeth sits at almost 20%, and the royal visit is seen as a much-needed boost.

11:40am: Another look at that gorgeous McQueen outfit. The Royal couple are now on their way to their first stop: the Nothern Sound System, a youth community centre in Elizabeth, a suburb north of Adelaide.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touch down at RAAF Base Edinburgh in S.A #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/XCxYcJZFt8 — TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) April 23, 2014

11:30am: A first look at Kate and Wills - Kate looking stunning in a pink Alexander McQueen outfit that she’s teamed with pearls.

The future Queen looking radiant as the #Royals touch down in #SA #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/YYe9QIwWCg — Ten News Adelaide (@TenNewsADEL) April 23, 2014

#Pink and #pearls for a future queen as #Kate touches down in #Adelaide #SA pic.twitter.com/qKVul0nO6N — Ten News Adelaide (@TenNewsADEL) April 23, 2014

11:15am: Kate and William have touched down in Adelaide.

William & Kate touch down in Adelaide #RoyalVisitAus pic.twitter.com/Vcaq2cnmvu — British Royals (@britishroyals) April 23, 2014

11am: The royals are due to land in Adelaide just before 11am local time (11:30am AEST). From there they’ll head north to Elizabeth, a suburb 25km north of Adelaide, for a day spent focusing on the youth of the area. Later in the afternoon, they’ll attend a reception hosted by the Governor and Premier of South Australia.

News_Image_File: Union Jacks aplenty! Elizabeth spectators await the arrival of Wills and Kate.

The crowds are already building in Elizabeth in anticipation of the royal arrival — they’re expecting 50,000 people to line the streets today.

More Coverage

This dear lady hasn't missed a royal visit. Hopefully her jubilee photo can sit proudly next to one with Will or Kate pic.twitter.com/URmQq83JHO — Brett Clappis (@BrettClappis) April 23, 2014

Prince George has ‘grown an extra fat roll’ in Oz

Royal Diary: Kate’s dress swap in the Red Centre

A security official in Colombia has hit out at the exorbitant cost of providing safety for the Sussexes during their “faux royal” tour of the country.

A bumper new report has laid bare a tranche of details about the Duke of Sussex’s post-Megxit world and it’s a depressing picture.

Harry and Meghan’s public message directed at their royal sister-in-law a few months ago reportedly infuriated Prince William.

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Harry and Meghan’s glossy Colombia tour ends on a high – but not everyone is convinced

The pair ended their tour in the once notorious cartel city of cali, article bookmarked.

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Louise Thomas

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex called time on their quasi-royal tour of Colombia on Sunday with an evening of dancing and cheering in the former cartel city of Cali – but there were mixed feelings from locals towards the couple’s visit.

Upon arrival in the country on Thursday , the pair were whisked to vice president Francia Marquez’s private residence, where it was revealed their invitation had been prompted by Marquez enjoying their Netflix documentary.

The vice-president’s invitation was an attempt to “bring people who give her media attention” due to distant ties with President Gustavo Petro who “has not done much in the last two years”, political scientist Mónica Pachón told The Independent .

But as their tour ended, some Colombians appeared unmoved by the carefully choreographed four-day trip.

“It’s very strange, they move like ghosts,” Arturo, a waiter in Avenida Jimenez de Quesada told the Daily Mail on Thursday.

Adding: ‘Tell me what they look like if you catch them!’

While in a remote visit to the town of San Basilio, just south of Cartagena, Justo Valdés, 70, a singer in the local band Son Palenque, asked: “Who is Meghan ?” and was unaware of the country to which Harry was a prince, according to The Telegraph.

What the couple managed to achieve from their visit remains unclear prompting royal critics to brand the unofficial tour as a PR stunt for both the Sussexes’ and Colombian government.

Questions over the extravagance of their visit, including security costs expected for the Colombian government, have created an awkward imposition against the backdrop of a largely poverty-stricken country.

Colombia ranks second after Brazil in Latin America for economic inequality with 16,708,153, people declared to be living in a situation of monetary poverty in 2023, according to Oxfam and DANE (Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics).

The country also faces significant inequality between urban and rural areas with 30.6 per cent of people living in poverty in urban areas in 2023, compared to 41.2 per cent in rural zones.

In the north, cities such as Santa Marta and Cartagena face ongoing poverty with rampant child prostitution and exploitation in blatant operations.

Critics claim that the Sussexes’ trip was advantageous for both parties looking to boost their popularity in the public eye. However, the Sussexes’ focus on the dangerous impact of social media on Colombian children felt like a gloss over the multiplicity of social, political, and economic challenges faced by the country.

A Bogota-based British journalist said the mood towards Harry and Meghan felt more positive compared to how parts of the media perceived the trip.

He said: “A lot of Colombians are pretty mad for the royals, the antiquated traditions and all the gossip that surrounds them.

“I think most Colombians with an opinion on the matter are pleased that Harry & Meghan have taken the time to visit Colombia, show an interest and spotlight both its wonders and its issues.

“Most of the coverage has been positive, including on Harry & Meghan getting involved in salsa dancing and Meghan impressing with her Spanish while in conversation with the VP.

“What irks Colombians more, I think, is the tabloid coverage saying that the trip is foolish because Colombia is some kind of off-limits lawless, hellhole run by cartels.”

Albeit, Harry was caught out in a dubious position when Marquez, who is one of the world’s leading voices in the call for reparations, set up a national commission to “repair the historical debt owed”.

Harry denounced the “unjust” system that saw “enslaved people” generate wealth for the Crown, yet continues to remain a seen member of the Royal family globally despite cutting his familial ties.

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Meghan Markle Fashion Roundup: 10 Looks in 4 Days, from Chanel Slingbacks to Metallic Maxis

She came, she slayed, she conquered.

Here’s all the Meghan Markle fashion news you need to know for the week of August 20, 2024. 

• On the first day of her visit to Colombia , Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry , met with the vice president at the Colegio Cultura Popular. Her chic business attire included Veronica Beard's Navy ‘Orlinda’ Vest, matching ‘Arte’ Pants and black satin slingback pumps.

• For her visit to the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota, the duchess switched into a Navajo Weaver Metallic Tweed Maxi Dress by Johanna Ortiz, featuring an embroidered maroon and gold design with a low-cut neckline.

• The 43-year-old royal opted for a monochrome ensemble while speaking at EAN University. She wore Victoria Beckham's Brown Silk Shirt with Colby Satin Wide-Leg Pants from La Ligne. And to complete the look, she donned Brown Suede Sandals from Aquazzura.

• On day two, Markle paid a visit to Colegio La Giralda in Santa Fe, and she looked ready for school in her Loro Piana ‘Jamilla’ Linen Blazer. She paired the camel-colored jacket with a white shirt, black pants and beige-and-black slingbacks from Chanel.

• Markle followed the ultimate fashion hack— the rule of thirds —while attending a Training Session with Invictus Games Team Colombia at the Inclusive Rehabilitation Center. She paired a Juan De Dios Martellato Midi Skirt with a silk white top from Giuliva Heritage and tan Jimmy Choos.

• It may look like a dress at first glance, but Markle's flattering outfit includes two matching silk pieces from Johanna Ortiz. She accessorized with Brown Suede Sandals from Aquazzura, Royal Signet Studs and a personalized Imperial Disc Pendant Necklace (which is engraved with her children’s names).

• The mom of two stepped out in a more casual ensemble for her visit to San Basilio de Palenque in Cartagena. She rocked a ribbed crewneck tank top with the ivory Emma pencil skirt from Posse, completing the look with her Imperial Disc Pendant Necklace, a black-and-white fedora and t-strap sandals from Emme Parsons.

• While participating in the Afro Women and Power Forum on day four, the  Suits  actress dazzled in a Silvia Tcherassi Blair sequin midi skirt, featuring an intricate floral design. Using the rule of thirds once again, she donned the skirt with a sleeveless white button-down vest and purple suede pumps from Manolo Blahnik.

• Markle and her husband showed some impressive dance moves when they went to Unidad Recreativa El Vallado in Cali. For the occasion, the duchess dressed to impress in a white top and a hand-embroidered midi skirt from Juan De Dios. She also wore the Benni Tan Slingback Flat Sandals from Stuart Weitzman.

• Markle was a vision in green at the Petronio Alvarez Festival. She wore the Joya Colonial Tiered Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress by Andrés Otalora, along with black suede sandals.

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Royal diary: upcoming royal engagements 24-30th June

• Jackie Sedeño
• 24 June 2019
• Royal diary

Following on from Royal Ascot last week, The Queen is heading to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish Parliament, while Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall will also be in Scotland, heading to Aberdeen. Princess Anne is conducting engagements in Portsmouth.

– The Princess Royal, as a member of the International Olympic Committee and Chair, International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, will attend the 134th International Olympic Committee Session, Lausanne, Switzerland.  

24th June:

– The Princess Royal will be in Lausanne for the second part of the 134th International Olympic Committee Session in Switzerland.

– The Queen will give a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the work of local faith and belief groups to promote social cohesion.

– The Duchess of Rothesay (as Camilla is known in Scotland) will visit HorseBack UK based in Aberdeen, to undertake a tour of the centre and meet with the centre’s clients, their staff and horses. As President of  Maggie’s, a cancer centre, the Duchess will visit Maggie’s Aberdeen and will meet with staff and visitors. Camilla will then visit Aberdeen Journals to tour their new offices and present an award to the winner of the Aberdeen Journals’ junior journalist competition.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is off to Aberdeen. © Victoria Howard

– The Countess of Wessex, Show President of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, will attend the Stewards Reception in the Norfolk Showground.

– The Earl of Wessex will attend the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup 2019 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Prince Edward, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, will attend a summer reception at Spencer House in London. Later on that evening, in the same capacity, he will attend a 30-4-30 Finale and Dinner also at Spencer House.

– The Princess Royal will open the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitors’ Centre, in Beaurains, France. Princess Anne will also will attend a dinner at Fishmongers’ Hall, London Bridge, as Fourth Warden.

– The Duke of Gloucester will spend the day in Peterborough on a number of engagements  visiting  Allia Future Business Centre. He will officially open Thorpe Wood Care Home and then the Rapture Production Centre at Radical Sportscars. He will then go on to attend a Reception at Duxford Air Museum. Prince Richard will end the day visiting  Peter Brotherhood Ltd, in Peterborough.

– The Duke of Kent will visit Bentley Motors CW1 House, Pyms Lane, Crewe. He will also visit British Salt Limited in Cheshire, and Morning Foods Limited in Crewe.

– Princess Alexandra, Patron of the Leeds Castle Foundation, will open the Princess Alexandra Gardens and attend a Dinner at Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent.

26th June:

– The Earl of Wessex, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, will hold a World Fellowship Anniversary Dinner at Windsor Castle.

– The Countess of Wessex, Show President, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, will attend the Royal Norfolk Show, Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich.

This week, The Countess of Wessex and her husband have quite a busy schedule ( i-Images / Pool)

– The Princess Royal will attend the Fiftieth Anniversary of ‘The Princess Anne’ Hovercraft Launch, Lee-on-the-Solent. As Patron of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, the Princess will attend the Thirty-Fifth Anniversary of the Community Sailing Programme in Lymington, and she will later  attend a dinner at Spencer House as President of the Animal Health Trust. Anne will also will attend a Summer Tea Party at Frogmore House, as patron of Save the Children UK.

– Princess Alexandra will visit the Romney Tweed Community Interest Company, in Old Romney, Kent followed by a tour of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches of Kent, to include Saint Clement, Old Romney, Saint Augustine, Brookland and Saint George, Ivychurch.

– The Duke of Kent, President, The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, will hold a reception at Buckingham Palace.

– The Queen will visit Greenfaulds High School, in Glasgow.

The Queen will be joined by Prince Charles for the anniversary of the scottish parliament (Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images)

– The Countess of Wessex, as president of The Royal Smithfield Club, will attend the Annual Members’ Meeting at Lord Plymouth’s Estate in Ludlow.

– The Princess Royal Commodore-in-Chief Portsmouth, will open the Combined Heat and Power Plant and the new Harbour Control Facility, Victory Building, Her Majesty’s Naval Base in Portsmouth. Anne will also attend a reception in Portsmouth to mark the Tenth Anniversary of HMS Excellent’s Warrant Officers.

– The Duke of Gloucester, Patron of the Pestalozzi International Village Trust, will attend the Graduation Ceremony at Pestalozzi International Village in Battle.

– The Duke of Kent will attend the unveiling and dedication of the Victoria Cross Remembrance Stone, Freemasons’ Hall, in London, and attend a reception for recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, Lenton House, University Park, Nottingham. He will then attend a reception to mark the Unveiling of the Great War Memorial, County Hall, West Bridgford and will end his day of engagements unveiling the Great War Memorial, Victoria Embankment, Nottingham.

the duke of kent is a busy royal this week (royal family)

– The Queen accompanied by The Duke of Rothesay (Prince Charles), will visit the Scottish Parliament to mark its 20th anniversary.

– Princess Anne will attend Armed Forces Day Commemorations at Guildhall, Market Place, Salisbury and Hudsons Field, Old Sarum, Salisbury.

– – Princess Alexandra, Royal Patron, will visit Masterpiece London at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. She   will also attend a concert at St Richard’s Church, Richmond, Surrey.

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The queen, princess anne and prince edward have outings before easter.

Firstly, I wanted to start this post by saying that our thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and her family following the announcement about her cancer diagnosis on Friday.

The Queen, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh are among the royals who will be stepping out for public engagements…

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Edward Hodgkinson was born in 1886, in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. He was named after his father who had married his mother Susan in 1879. Whatever happened to Edward senior is something of a puzzle…

The 1881 National Census, completed just two years after Edward senior and Susan’s wedding, has no trace of him; it shows Susan living with her parents at number 3 Hall Street Court in Kidderminster. At this time Susan was working as a yarn-spinner in one of Kidderminster’s many carpet mills. The house must have seemed over-full at times, because Susan’s four brothers and her sister were all still living at home – albeit they were most probably working different shifts which would have alleviated the problem somewhat. 

With the exception of Susan’s mother and youngest brother who was still at school, they all worked in the town’s carpet industry, as weavers, creelers and yarn-spinners (her one brother was a 14-year-old creeler and another, a 12-year-old yarn spinner; such was life in the town at the time - if work was offered, it was taken - irrespective of age).

Susan’s mother would have been kept busy, preparing meals for the family’s workers as they came and went – and of course, looking after her grandchild Minnie, when Minnie's mum Susan was at work.

So it was that five years after that Census had been completed, Edward Hodgkinson came into the world without having a father figure in the household to look-up to…

In the interim, Susan had had another daughter, named Jane. She’d been born in 1885; the year before Edward arrived. It’s sad to say, but parentage details are difficult to confirm because Edward senior, was still nowhere to be seen...

Indeed, in the 1901 National Census, Susan is declared as the 'head' of the household. Clearly the living arrangements at her parent’s house had become untenable, because the census also confirms that she, and her growing brood, had moved to Court One, Orchard Street in Kidderminster.

At this time, Edward’s eldest sister Minnie was working as a "charwoman" – which would nowadays be regarded as a peculiar description for a twenty-one-year-old.  Aged sixteen, his second eldest sister, Jane, had followed family tradition and found work in a spinning mill. Edward too was helping bring money into the house as an errand boy for a local fishmongers; he was just fifteen.

When the 1901 census was completed, Edward was no longer the youngest family member. Susan had had two more children; a third daughter named Mabel who was born in 1891 and a second son named Arthur, who’d been born in 1894.

In 1911, (according to the National Census) Edward’s mum Susan was living in Queen Street – with a bricklaying lodger from Stourbridge, along with daughter Mabel and son Arthur…

Edward however, had moved out – he’d married his sweetheart Cecily Wilson, and together they lived with Cecily’s parents at number 12 Waterloo Street in Kidderminster. They would all have undoubtedly spent their Saturday nights together in the Whit Hart pub which sat on the same street and was the weekend meeting place for the local residents.

Whilst Cecily worked in the carpet industry, Edward was now a fishmonger, albeit on a temporary basis – before long he’d make the move into construction, finding work with a local building contractor.

It wasn't long, before Ernest and Cecily moved away from her parent’s house to their own property, in Queen Street on the edge of the Horsefair district of town; Just around the corner from mum Susan.

Tragedy struck Edward and Cecily in 1912, when their first-born, a boy named Harold died within months of birth. The reason for the poor lad’s passing is not known. Happier times came in 1913 however, when Cecily fell pregnant again; this time giving birth to a daughter who they named Gladys.

When war came, both Edward and his young brother Arthur would have been keen to ‘do their bit’ but it can safely be assumed that Edward signed-up first; most probably attesting at the headquarters of the Worcestershire Regiment’s 7th Battalion in the Shrubbery Drill Hall on the Birmingham Road.

However, at the time Edward enlisted, new recruits were frequently being redirected to wherever the need for reinforcement was the greatest, this is probably how he came to serve with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). Edward was posted to the 2nd Battalion which had been in France since August 1914 and which had taken heavy losses at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915, so he was possibly part of a draft of replacements, sent to bring the numbers back up to full operational compliment following that action.

Because of this ever-changing need for new recruits in differing units, it was never certain where a newly-enlisted man might end up. When Edward’s young brother Arthur attested however, he got his wish and served with the Worcestershire Regiment.

Edward’s new regiment was a rifle unit and as such, didn’t carry colours; instead, its battle honours were inscribed on its badge. By the time Edward joined them, the regiment had 40 battle honours on the badge he was subsequently to wear so proudly (this is more than any other British Army regiment).

On the outbreak of the First World War, the KRRC 1st and 2nd Battalions had been deployed directly to the Western Front and it was in France where Edward joined up with them.

He appears to have settled in well and been well-regarded by his superiors, eventually achieving two field promotions, to Lance Corporal and then full Corporal.

During the spring of 1916, Edward and his unit were employed in awful, attritional trench warfare, under constant fire from German artillery and snipers. He would also have been involved in numerous offensive operations and patrols to keep the Germans on the defence and maintain pressure on their lines. 

In a letter to Cecily, written from a hole dug into the side of a muddy trench, Edward tries his best to reassure her that he’s doing fine, but the stress of being under constant bombardment and the inability to gain any restful sleep clearly comes through - as does his longing for home:

“June 11th 1916”

“I am all right at present. Pleased to say I received the Shuttle. I dare say you will tell me I am looking bad when you see me, but it is enough to make anyone bad out here. I shall be able to tell you all about it when I come home. I might come either next Thursday or Sunday. I can’t tell for certain and I won’t promise. I live in hope of having a jolly good time, but I think I shall sleep all the first day. It will be nice to sleep on something soft for a day or two. If it is only an old mattress with nothing to cover me I shall be quite comfortable, for I might tell you, it will be a great change. I want to be somewhere where it is quiet. I want to forget this horrible noise. I don’t think I know where I am at times, but I want to forget it when I come home. Cheer up there is a good time coming.”

Edward finishes the letter with a poem for Cecily…

“For months I’ve been dreaming of Blighty ~ For weeks I’ve been dreaming of leave ~ For days I’ve talked of the mighty ~ Fine welcome that I should receive ~ Though most of my pals are missing ~ I hope to have plenty of fun ~ With a dozen or so little girls that I know ~ But so far I only loved one ~ You.”

This was Edwards last letter home.

The regimental War Diary for June 1916 is difficult to decipher, with the hand-written text illegible in parts. However, one passage for the 26th of the month confirms:

“Much artillery fire – esp. violent during the night.”

The 26th of June 1916 was the day that Edward was killed…

It’s not confirmed anywhere exactly how Edward died, only that he was killed in action. From the War Diary of the 2nd Bn KRRC, it would seem most likely that he was killed by shrapnel from the violent German barrage mentioned in the War Diary.

From Edward’s letter, we can get a feeling for his state of mind and the manner in which he was coping with the constant threat of death – be it from artillery strikes, snipers, gas or going-over-the-top and walking into withering machine gun fire. Even in the ‘quiet’ periods between in-coming barrages and patrolling in no-mans-land, the conditions that Edward was having to endure would have been awful; soul-destroying. 

In Edward's final letter to Cecily, his growing anxiety is clear – as is his desperation to get home on leave, however brief the furlough.

The ‘Shuttle’ that Edward refers to in the letter is the local Kidderminster newspaper (named after a carpet loom component). In early July 1916, the Shuttle posted the following notice:

“Corporal Hodgkinson was in No. 14 Platoon, ‘D’ Company, 2nd Batt. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and his death adds another from the number of deaths exacted from soldiers who have gone from Queen Street; which area has supplied more soldiers than any of its size in the town.” “Corporal Hodgkinson was previous to the war employed by Messrs. Cope & Son, builders, and joined the army soon after the outbreak of war: having been out at the front about twelve months. He leaves a widow and one young child to mourn his loss. “

“His brother, Private A. Hodgkinson, of the Worcesters, has been nearly twelve months with the Mesopotamia Forces, and has been through the rigors of campaigning in this theatre of war. In a recent letter home he says he is going on all right and enquired particularly as to how his brother was faring in France. Private Hodgkinson, who is barely 20 years of age, was formerly employed at Messrs. Smith & Sons, Mill Street.”

On the 16th of January 1917, barely seven months after that notice appeared in the Shuttle, young Arthur was also killed in action, fighting the Turks in the Battle of the Hai Salient in Mesopotamia.

On the 14th of November 1916, a payment of £4.8s.7d was made to Ernest’s widow Cecily, two years later, she received a final payment of £8.0s.0d.

Cecily remarried in 1920 to a gentleman named Thomas Clee. They moved to Caunsall where Edward’s young daughter Gladys grew into womanhood, retaining the name Hodgkinson. She herself married in 1936 to a hydraulic engineer. Gladys died in 1956.

Edward’s mum Susan passed away in 1931. Despite the passing of the years, she would never have gotten-over losing her two sons...

Today, Edward Rests In Peace under a Commonwealth War Graves headstone within the Maroc British Cemetery, which is situated around ten miles south of Bethune – the scene of much fighting throughout the Great War.

The cemetery was begun by French troops in August 1915, but it was first used as a Commonwealth cemetery by the 47th (London) Division in January 1916, six months before Edward fell.

For the greater part of the war, it was a front-line cemetery used by fighting units and field ambulances, being protected from German observation by a slight rise in the ground. Some rows within the cemetery contain graves brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields and small cemeteries (including Maroc Churchyard), north and east of Grenay.

Maroc British Cemetery now contains 1,379 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 264 of which are unidentified.

Back in Blighty, Corporal Edward Hodgkinson of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps is commemorated on the Kidderminster War Memorial which stands in front of St. Mary and All Saints Church.

Below the names of the fallen on this memorial, the following epitaph is inscribed:

“THESE DIED THE NOBLEST DEATH A MAN MAY DIE ~ FIGHTING FOR GOOD AND RIGHT AND LIBERTY ~ AND SUCH A DEATH IS IMMORTALITY”

The name directly above Edward’s on the memorial, is that of his little-brother, Arthur…

Rest In Peace Edward Hodgkinson – a husband, a father and a fine soldier from Kidderminster who fell doing his duty. Your courage will never be forgotten and your sacrifice will be remembered For Evermore.

Acknowledgements: This story could not have been written were it not for the wonderful staff of the Kidderminster Museum of Carpet (www.museumofcarpet.org.uk) Their assistance and guidance are hugely appreciated, as is their dedication to ensuring that Kidderminster’s history and culture are remembered in perpetuity.

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