July 8th 1916
Neighbours of The Hobbs family in Union Street, Lurgan recall the day the telegram boy cycled up the street at pace to deliver the shocking news that many men enlisted from the surrounding area - Sloan Street, Hill Street, Edward Street and Castle Lane had been killed in the Great War.The door of number 143 Union Street was opened by Mrs Hobbs who fainted as the telegram boy handed her the message which confirmed the news that tragedy had befallen her family. Not an unusual occurrence at this time. Except what sets Mrs Hobbs apart form the many, many mothers who lost sons to war, was that she had just been told that three of her four sons fighting in France were dead.
Hobbs BrothersDavid HobbsHerbert HobbsAndrew HobbsRobert HobbsIn the film Saving Private Ryan, which tells the story of four American brothers who fought together in the Second World War, the plot follows a race to find the fourth surviving brother before, he too, becomes a statistic.
In parallel to the film the fourth Hobbs brother was eventually found and returned home.Herbert Hobbs came home in August 1916, after falling injured in the same battle as his three brothers had given their life for.
After recovering from serious leg injuries, Herbert cared for his Mother until she passed away. He then moved to Denver, USA where he raised three sons of his own - Harold, Les and Noel.
Local war historian Jim McIlmurray (whose work this story is transposed from ) keeps in touch with one of Herbert`s sons - Harold Hobbs and wonders how the fiction of the film Saving Private Ryan impacts on him and his family.
Are you a relation of the Hobbs family from Lurgan? Do you know of other families who suffered a similar loss?
Share any information or stories you might have by clicking on 'Discuss this Article' at the bottom of the page or by e-mailing communities-ni@bbc.....
© MMIX