Description
1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Efficiency Medal, bar Territorial, 549834 Gunner J.W. Hobson, Royal Artillery, 33rd A.A. Anti Tank Regiment in Burma.
Efficiency Medal officially impressed: “549834 Gnr J.W. Hobson R.A.”
Efficiency Medal awarded in Army Order 46 of 1966.
All 3 WW2 medals confirmed on medal card, issued on 3rd August 1989.
See photo of his unit and their mortars:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_British_Army_in_Burma_1945_SE4463.jpg
John William Hobson was born on 23rd September 1919.
He initially signed on for service with the 6th Hampshire Regiment part of the Territorial Army on 30th June 1938.
This unit converted to Artillery at this time and he was with them when they became the “59th Duke of Connaught’s Hampshire Anti Tank Regiment” on 28th November 1938.
He joined the 69th Anti Tank Regiment on 5th August before he got to see active service when he joined the 33rd Anti Aircraft Anti Tank Regiment on 28th August 1943.
At this time the 69th Anti Tank Regt were part of the 19th Indian Division at Bangalore, Before his battery was converted to become the 33rd Light Anti Aircraft Anti Tank regiment and sent to fight in Burma.
To get an idea of his service against the Japanese in Burma, the following story was submitted to the Burma Star Memorial Fund by Captain D.W. “Joe” Payne of the 33rd Anti Tank Regt:
He served with them until January 1946 after the war joining the 120th Field Regiment before discharge.
He was discharged from active service after the end of the war on 17th May 1946.
