Help needed to Identify Pte Jim Hubbard? RWF

[Simon J Emmerson]

Hi Folks. I've a small collection of postcards sent by James/Jim Hubbard? Royal Welsh Fusiliers. To his Sister at Loughborough, Leics. Unfortunately I've not been able to find him on Ancestry. Can anyone help find him?

Kind Regards Simon. 

[HarryBrook]

The Hubbard family lived at 25, Clarence Street, Loughborough. James Hubbard's full name was John James Hubbard, born 1884, quarter 1, in the Loughborough District, mother's maiden name Freeman. His father was Walter Hubbard (born about 1862) and his mother was Susan (formerly Freeman) (born about 1864). His sister was May, as per the postcard) and he also had brothers William, Walter, and another sister Clara. 

This is the family at 25, Clarence St., Loughborough in 1911, James is not present. Link to ancestry https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/2352/rg14_19106_0267_03?pid=24182513&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=srK6181&_phstart=successSource

Ancestry search does not find them in the 1901 census. This is the family at 26, Clarence St., Loughborough in 1901 on findmypast, James is present https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBC%2F1901%2F2976-2977%2F0288&parentid=GBC%2F1901%2F0019274641

There is a service record on findmypast for John James Hubbard for service as Pte. 7214 in the Derbyshire Regt., attesting on 18 January 1902 and being discharged on 10 December 1902 having been convicted by civil powers for theft. His disciplinary record throughout was not good.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F5172%2F145%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F5172%2F869572 

His next of kin were given as Walter and Susan Hubbard of 25, Clarence St., Loughborough. 

[Simon J Emmerson]

Many Thanks Harry. Very interesting indeed. Sounds like he was a bit of a rogue. 

[HarryBrook]

The Loughborough Echo of 26 February 1915 printed the contents of a letter of thanks from a Pte. J. Hubbard, 1st Bn. The Lincolnshire Regt., of 25, Clarence St., Loughborough thanking Mr. Knight landlord of the Green Man pub, Swan Street for providing cigarettes and tobacco for "the boys in the trenches" (Mr. Knight mentioned on the one postcard I would suggest). 

 

The Melton Mowbray Mercury... published a briefer piece on 25 February but referring to J. Hubbard's Regiment as the "Leicesters". The more local Loughborough Echo is probably the more accurate.

 

The war diary of 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regt., for 1 and 2 April 1915 reflects the wording of the postcard dated 2 April. On 28 March the battalion had been in support at Rosedael Chateau but then moved into the trenches (exact location not stated). Late on 1 April they were relieved and proceeded to billets in Kruistraat, arriving 1.00am on 2nd. Whilst in billets at Kruistraatt on 2nd orders were received to rejoin 3rd Division. The battalion paraded at 8.15am and marched to Dickebusch (they were destined for the trenches at St. Eloi). "We have not got much time now as we are on a big march to another position".

 

There is a medal index card and medal roll entries for James Hubbard, 9862 Pte. 1st Bn. Lincs. Regt. and later 11596 Pte. 20th Lab. Coy., Labour Corps. Landed France 8 November 1914. 

 

So perhaps the portrait photo is not of James Hubbard?  

 

 

     

[Matlock1418]

6 hours ago, HarryBrook said:

There is a service record on findmypast for John James Hubbard for service as Pte. 7214 in the Derbyshire Regt., attesting on 18 January 1902 and being discharged on 10 December 1902

 

3 hours ago, HarryBrook said:

So perhaps the portrait photo is not of James Hubbard?  

 

Given he must have been c.18 in 1902 and another 13 years older, i.e. c.31, in 1915 I think the "Fusilier" photo looks a bit young.

What does the photo say on the reverse?

[Simon J Emmerson]

1 hour ago, Matlock1418 said:

 

 

Given he must have been c.18 in 1902 and another 13 years older, i.e. c.31, in 1915 I think the "Fusilier" photo looks a bit young.

What does the photo say on the reverse?

Unfortunately the back of the card is blank