Rushden Lance-Corporal's Death

News has been received of the death of Lance-Corpl Joseph Hobbs (Machine Gun Company), eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hobbs, of 2 Fletcher road, Rushden. Lance-Corpl Hobbs was 27 years of age, and single. He enlisted in Captain Stocken's detachment on October 24th, 1915, and was afterwards transferred to a machine gun company. He went to France about 6 months ago. Before enlisting he worked for Messrs. William Green and Sons. The news of his death was contained in the following letter from Capt John H Roxburgh: "I am very sorry indeed to have to inform you that your son, Lance-Corpl J Hobbs, of my company was killed in action on July 30th. He was killed while we were making an attack, and he was leading his gun team at the time. We are all very sorry to lose him, as he was a good soldier and a real hard worker. He had just been made a lance-corporal and was doing very well indeed. He knew a lot about his work, and could be relied upon in an emergency. He was the sort of man we cannot afford to lose - one who knew his job and did it without any fuss. Please accept from the whole company and myself the deepest sympathy."