Hodges, Mervyn George
39840 Gunner Mervyn George Hodges - 6th Field Artillery Brigade
Mervyn George Hodges was born in Fremantle in December 1898 to Frederick and Sarah Hodges, being one of twelve siblings born into the family.
The family lived at Carnac Street Fremantle before moving to 90 Hampton Road (later renamed to 54 Hampton) and then 3 John Street Fremantle (later renamed to Fothergill Street). Merv grew up in Fremantle and was educated locally. He also spent time in the Naval Cadets and continued with his service in the naval reserve. After leaving school Merv took up training as an ironmonger.
Sadly his father died in 1916 and after the family left Joh Street they moved to 50 Glyde Street East Fremantle. (later renamed to 26 Glyde Street)
On the 6th January 1917, the 18 year old Mervyn enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording Merv's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;
Weight - 126lbs;
Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Brown.
After his successful enlistment, Mervyn was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the Artillery Reinforcements. As the Artillery training was taking place in Victoria, Mervyn and the other reinforcements were sent east. After his arrival in Victoria Merv was sent to Maribyrnong Camp.
Merv was initially assigned to the Trench Mortar Battery Reinforcements and trained with them until the 8th June 1917. He was then transferred to the Field Artillery reinforcements. Merv would have several months of training in Victoria and New South Wales.
It was not until the 30th April 1918 that Mervyn left Australia, deporting from Sydney Harbour aboard the transport ship Port Darwin. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Southampton on the 16th July 1918.
After being disembarked Merv was sent to the Royal British Artillery Training School at Heytesbury. He would have a few more months training in England as it was not until the 17th October 1918 that Merv was sent to France. He then spent two weeks at the Australian Base Depot Camp at Rouelles.
Merv was taken on strength of the 106th Battery of the 6th Field Artillery Brigade on the 31st October 1918. They had just come out of action and were embarking on a rest period. The Armistice was soon announced on the 11th November 1918, shortly after Merv joined the unit.
When the Germans withdrew to behind their own borders, the Australians were sent into what had been German occupied parts of Belgium and France. Merv served with his unit through to February 1919, when he was evacuated ill with influenza. Fortunately it was not a severe illness and he was back with his unit after a week.
On the 9th March 1919, Merv was transferred to the 4th Field Artillery Brigade and was with them till the 24th April 1919 when he was transferred to the Australian Corps workshops.
On the 13th May 1919 Merv left France and proceeded across to England and was sent to No.3 Group camp at Codford. He would remain here while waiting to be assigned a berth on a troopship home.
On the 23rd July 1919 Merv boarded the transport ship Main and set sail for Australia, disembarking at Fremantle on the 27th September 1919. Merv was discharged from the AIF on the 21st October 1919.
After returning home Merv spent a short time in Fremantle and then moved to Princess Road in Claremont and he was now working as a Carpenter. By 1925 he was living at Albany Road Vic Park.
Merv was married in 1929 to Vera May Scott and a son Douglas was born in 1930 and the family soon moved to Swansea Street Victoria Park. They lived here through to the 1950's
Merv died on the 3rd July 1966 in East Victoria Park aged 67. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.