Harry volunteered for military service immediately on the outbreak of war. Following his training he was posted to Hong Kong where he arrived in April 1941. On the morning of 7^th December 1941 at the same time that Japanese Forces were attacking Pearl Harbour they also launched an attack on the British Colony of Hong Kong. A period of brief intense fighting followed, but on Christmas Day 1941 the Military Garrison consisting of British, Canadian and Indian units were forced to surrender.

Initially reported as ‘missing in action’, this was subsequently amended almost twelve months later as having been ‘killed in action’ on Friday 19^th December 1941, aged 22. His body was initially buried in a mass grave on the island but following exhumation on 27^th November 1946 Harry’s remains, along with many others, were reburied in the CWGC Cemetery in Hong Kong with full military honours.

Son of Alfred Bridge Hodson & Dorothy Hodson of Hayley Green, Halesowen, Worcestershire.

A copy of this story is available for download here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:- Signalman Harry Stacey HODSON