Archive for the ‘personal’ Category
Private Angus Hodge
In the recent research of my paternal family history, I found reference to David Melville Hodge signing the papers for an Angus Hodge. These papers were permission given by David for Angus to join the Australian Infantry in 1916 for service abroad. He was only 18 years and 2 months old.
Private Angus Hodge was my Great-Grand Uncle.
Based on my recent research into a Private Albert Lock, I knew I could find Private Angus Hodge’s service records at the National Archives. A few personal notes where an injured right leg from a horsing accident in 1912, and many teeth missing. He was also noted as “stocky†at only 5 and a half feet tall. His denomination was listed as Methodist.
Private Angus Hodge became a part of the 6th reinforcements for the South Australian 43rd Battalion, AIF. The 43rd Battalion made up the 11th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division of the AIF. Landed in the UK during the early part of 1917. (note: This Order of Battle is extremely useful and the War Diaries of the 43rd Battalion are insightful)
At this stage, Private Hodge started to have a bout of Measles and Mumps and finally arrived in France 30th July 1917. He joined the front line on 24th August 1917. Just in time for the 3rd Battle of Ypres. (also known to Australians as Passchendaele)
From this time, there were many times in hosipital listed as “NYD” and “PUO” : not yet determined and pyrexia unknown origin (ie: fever)
Then there is a note from 18th August 1918 “admitted old wounded leg, slight” back in the UK ; fracture from tibia, based on the fall from a horse some 6 years earlier. Repatriated back to the UK, Private Hodge spent time getting better at the end of the first world war.
On the 23rd November 1918, exactly 90 years ago today, the Medical Board in the UK awarded Private Angus Hodge a 20% permanent disability due to service; fit for home service. He would have limped for the rest of his life.
Discharged from the AIF on 19th March 1919 in Adelaide. Merely a year after returning to Australia, Angus was dead.
Nearly 3 years away from home, Private Hodge served his country. The records fail to detail the mental and other injuries suffered whilst in France.
Angus Hodge died ages 22 and is buried 23rd March 1920. The gravestone states “Son of DM and FJ.” Last residence is recorded as Gulnare South Australia. Where David Melville Hodge was farming at the time.
Lest We Forget.
Hodge Family History Update
As previously blogged, my ancestors hailed from the eastern shores of Fife, Scotland. Exactly where golf was invented.
NB: this page will be updated as more info is found. Dots will join back to here
Inspired by recent family events, I decided to revisit my June 2006 research and go further back. The previous searches had stopped at David Melville’s grandfather: John Hodge
Thanks to Scotlands People, the official government source of births, deaths, marriages, census data and other bits and pieces: searching is easy and relatively cheap. Certainly saves travelling to Scotland and spending days in a library or archive.
My ancestors were not catholic but rather “free kirk” Presbyters, they freely recorded their details in the Old Parish Records kept since 1553 in Scotland. I am 100% of my ancestors to 1734; The movements prior to Crail in 1662 is a little more tenuous, although this was a time of much upheavel in Scotland.
Using Maps.live.com, I have created a visual map collection that details the movements of these people in Scotland.
So, this is where we are in reverse chronological order; the left hand column has the male line and birth year, with the following row their respective father. The number is the generation from Liam back (ie: Liam is zero, and I am number 1)
| Name | Notes |
| 5. David Melville Hodge (1860−1937) | First Australian-born Hodge. Born 1860, Angaston, South Australia More details from 12th June 2008 His mother, Mary Milne Mary’s older brother was named David Milne. Mary Milne travelled on the same Boat as David Melville’s father: Melville Hodge. Melville’s first wife died on this voyage. |
| 6. Melville Hodge (1803−1860) | Born: 27th Nov 1803 to John (a weaver in Grange, an area of Saint Andrews) and Elspeth Clark in Saint Andrews Married Janet Crombie (born Leslie/Fife, 22nd May 1796) Listed in 1841 census in Cupar as an Agricultural Labourer Listed in 1851 census at “Cowbaikie Cothouse” Leuchars, Fife as an Agricultural Labourer. (A cothouse is a cotter’s house)(Leuchars added to rail line in 1853, the year Melville emigrated)Emigrated to Australia on Joseph Rowan in 1854 via Liverpool, England Lost first wife, Janet (nee Crombie) on voyage to Australia, 7 days out of Liverpool. Remarried to Mary Milne, also a passenger on the Joseph Rowan. Mary was 22 years old, and from Forfarshire. Mary was travelling with her older brother (David), and younger sister (Jane). |
| 7. John Hodge (1771-[between 1841–1851]) | Born 28th March 1771 in Brown Hills, Saint Andrews Married 29th March 1793 to Elspeth Clark (other children: Cecilia 1794, Elspeth 1796, James 1797, Margaret 1799 all in Saint Andrews) 1841 Census: Listed as Hand Loom Linen Weaver (H.L.W.L.) of Saint Andrews, Fife living at “Shore Bridgeâ€. Margaret listed as living with them at age 40. Linen weaving in 1834-45s Saint Andrews: Pg 46: “Small spinning mullin the town, the machinery which is moved by steam power. A number of weavers too are engaged in the weaving of linen, but they are employed solely by the manufacturers of Dundee, and from the establishment at Kirkland near Leven.“John Hodge has no 1851 listing. Death information in Scotland was not systematically recorded until 1855Elspeth was still alive at the 1861 census (along with Margaret) at the same address, Shore Bridge Margaret Hodge died in 1896 aged 96 in Saint Andrews of old age, still residing at Shore Bridge. Her grand-nephew William Watt reported the death. |
| 8. James Hodge (1734) | Born 26th March 1734 to George Hodge and Helen Fowler of Crail/ FifeNoted that birth notices contained a George Hodge as a George Hodge listed as witness at baptisms of this James children: Andrew 1764 in Crail/Fife and Mary 1766 Kingsbarns/Fife. A James Hodge and George Hodge were children of a George Hodge; therefore highly likely James moved from Crail to Kingsbarns. At the same time, the fishing stock at Crail was failing.James Hodge married Mary Scot in Crail/Fife in November 1763. James Hodge is moving north from Crail to Kingsbarns in 1766 and finally Brown Hills in 1771. This is a slow move towards St Andrews from Crail; most likely James was a farm labourer or linen weaver as there was no room left in the family business of fishing.
As there are other Hodge’s in the Kingsbarns parish, it is possible that he joined a relative’s business. Interestingly, John’s brother and sister returned to Crail in their dotage. Mary Hodge, the unmarried middle child of James Hodge and Mary Scot is found in the 1841 census as living with the Scotts in Shoregate, Crail. |
| 9. George Hodge (1686) | Born 20th November 1686 Crail/Fife to Patrik Hodge and Kathrin Moncrief Married Helen Fowler 16th October 1728.The surname Moncrief is well known in the Crail area during this time as Bailiie’s (mayors/judges) [source: scran.ac.uk]As there are no old parish records of births for Crail prior to 1684; it is possible that this is the last recorded Hodge I will be able to find. This record, and the Patricks following are 50% sure of being ancestors at the time of writing. |
| 10. Patrik Hodge (1662) | Other sources of information are held by Saint Andrews University; especially the Kirk (Church) Minutes for Crail from 1604 which may contain more details.Due to the intense religious and political wars in Scotland from the mid 16th through mid 17th century, it may never be possible to be certain beyond Patrik Hodge, the father of George Hodge any certainty beyond 1686. Crail/Fife was one of the initial places where John Knox started his Scottish Reformation.There is a Patrik Hodge marrying a Elspitt Wilsone listed in Crail from 1655. No connected birth records for a Patrick in Crail.
There are a selection of Patrik Hodges in Scotland at this time matching a father;s age range. A Patrik Hodge and Kathrin Moncreiff married in 21st January 1686 in Crail/Fife making Patrik 24 years of age. No births of Hodges prior to 1685 in Crail/Fife; other two Hodges are John Hodge and Thomas Hodge in Crail as fathers. Witness to baptism of George Hodge is a Pat Hodge. I think this is Patriks father, witnessing the baptism of his grandson. This Patrik Hodge: Born 2nd March 1662, to a Patrik Hodge and Margrat Mastertown in Linlithgow/East Lothian (I think a witness to this baptism is a Thomas Hodge). There are no Patrik Hodges born in Crail, so we have to search elsewhere. |
| 11. Patreik Hoge (1631) | Duns (father listed as Patrik) |
| 12. Patrike Hoge (1606) | Prestonpans (father unreadable) |
Kitchen Destruction
Results of 20th November 2008 destruction of the old kitchen below (Photosynth, this time 100% synthy!)
Avril enjoyed the de-tiling process. Sometimes, destroying inanimate objects is cathartic.
“It’s Not a Sad Time”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief
“It’s Not a Sad Time†was one of my Nana’s last wise phrases whispered to my Mum. Said more for those around her than herself, it is a canny reflection that behind the synthetic opiods her mind was active.
It is a phrase that I am pondering; as the funeral was a celebration of her achievements. I only realised how she treated everyone as special. From Dr Agarwal her final Doctor; Dean Martin one of her Aboriginal students from the mid 1970’s; to the staff at the Lutheran Homes in Glynde.
It takes a character larger than life to constantly impact the lives of so many other for 95 years.
I hold a deep and lasting respect for those in my family that dealt unselfishly with this stressful part of life. Palliative care, and the very tough decisions that are made go to the heart of why we are alive: to keep living.
In the end, remember: that who we love, and who loves us is all that matters.
Edna Dutschke
Edna Dutschke (nee Elix) passed away peacefully in her sleep, and under medical care during the early hours of 14th November 2008. She was 95, and had seen much in her life. Including giving life to two sons and a daughter. Her daughter is my Mum. Edna was by Nana.
Her grandparents immigrated from what is now Germany and religious intolerance to South Australia’s Barossa Valley.
A jolly person with a cheeky sense of humour. A hard worked who never suffered fools gladly. Along with her late husband, Arnold (passed on December 1984) she taught at many Lutheran Primary Schools in South Australia.
She had a sweet tooth (a trait passed on to her grandson, but don’t tell my Mum), a love of gardening, Inspector Rex, the Port Power, her family and keeping empties under her bed (last one is a family joke)
In her final years she was quietly frustrated by her body failing her active mind. Walkers and wheelchairs aided her mobility and did little to slow her down. A keen eye was watching everyone when the hearing aid’s battery failed.
My memories of her are all pleasant. As her first grandson, I am sure I had a special place in her heart. She put up with me and passed on some lessons in life. I lived with Nana from 1985 through to 1988 at a time I completed my Matriculation (HSC) through to finding Avril. Nana was the first in my family to meet Avril and provide approval.
Her physical presence will be missed. Memories, stories and thoughts remain.
Many memories.
Bathroom Renovation: The Destruction
After nearly 10 years at this address, the bathroom and kitchen need a massive makeover.
Above is a Photosynth of the bathroom after this morning’s destruction.
Next step is the rendering prior to plumbing then tiling.
More medical stories
Sometime in 1986/7 I went to a doctor for what I found out was a sebaceous cyst on my left shoulder blade. Not going into detail, but I was left with a permanent reminder of this cyst. That is, the bulk of the scarring remained.
Yesterday, after an inflammation and a 6 week battle of with anti-biotics, I could finally get the beastie removed. Under the careful assistance of Avril, I had the cyst professionally removed. The size of a grape, the surgical excision took 45 minutes under local. Now I have a 4cm scar with 5 stitches. Strangely, apart from the pain of a deep skin wound; my body seems to be relieved that the nastiness has gone.
The left hand side of my body is a war zone. Scars, infections, palsies. LOL
Creativity++
Microsoft has a financial year that matches Australia’s financial year: July to June.
Each financial year the cards are thrown up into the air, and depending on which tarots are on top: the organisational entrails are read and the future is foretold. Or, at least that is what it seems like from deep in the trenches of “individual contributor†from “subsidiary†land (I am quoting the management-speak, just incase you think I’ve totally lost the plot)
What does that mean for me?
Thanks to an excellent manager, Anna Liu, and a very flexible organisation: I get to change my job a little.
Half what I’ve been doing: web/blogging/on10.net/videos and sundry journeyman things for DPE in Australia.
And Half Web Development Evangelism.
Which is really cool. C#, IronPython, IronRuby, Silverlight, Virtual Earth, Live Mesh et al: here I come!
Why the change?
Time to become more creative, build things. Help others build their things.
Also a change is as good as a holiday. My synapses were starting to atrophy.
ROI on MBA
In 1993 I started on the road to a Masters in Business Administration. More commonly known as an MBA.
Completed in 2002, the MBA has given me a deeper understanding to theories driving business. MBAs are designed to provide a broad understanding of how organisations work. I found the most enlightening topics related to Legal studies and Accounting. I can now read a P&L, Cashflow and Balance Sheet with confidence.
Within a year of taking a management role after completing my MBA (est cost $16,000) I had recouped my fees.
What an MBA does not provide is how to manage people.
If destined for a management role, people management where you spend most of your time. Not reading contracts, dealing with paperwork and accounting. Each of these are specializations that have strict regulatory controls and therefore organisations employ experts to fulfill the roles.
People Management cannot be left up to HR. All managers are people managers first and foremost.
I contend that People Management: keeping your team motivated, working together and productive is the hardest job.
Learn this, and you have done your MBA.
1968
1968 is the year where the summer of love turned into the year of protest, riots and an escalation in world tension.
World events of 40 years ago seem obscure today. The fear of rising communism, increasing multiculturalism, and general chaos as a new younger generation struggled against older strictures and structures.
Some events seem similar, with names changed: US Presidents squeezed between domestic tension and international ego and guerrilla warfare stagnating into needlessly killing. The Tet Offensive, the pivotal point of the Vietnam war, was fought in 1968.
France during May of 1968 witnessed protests and riots as an authoritarian de Gaulle combated both the left wing movement, and a younger generation demanding radical change.
In the midst of this turbulent month, in this pivotal year, I was born.
Thanks Mum and Dad. I wouldn’t be dead for quids.





