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Private Charles Christian Hibbitt (Hubbard)
Description
TitlePrivate Charles Christian Hibbitt (Hubbard)Alternative NameHubbard is the surname used on the Malvern War MemorialSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionThe Malvern War Memorial lists a C. C. Hubbard but it seems likely that this name actually records Charles Christian Hibbitt.
Charles was born in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, on 10th April 1878, son of Brewster and Elizabeth Anne Hibbitt. He was educated at Alford Grammar School and came to New Zealand in 1903. In the 1901 census he was living with his widowed mother who was farming. Before he enlisted he was working as a mechanic, a turner and fitter, for A. G. Holland, sawmiller at Darfield. He was 5ft 101/4in tall with dark complexion, green eyes and dark hair. He had two distinctive tattoos on his right arm, one a crucifix and the other a horse’s head with horse and whip.
Charles enlisted 14 January 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked with the 4th Reinforcements on 17 April 1915 bound for Suez and then on to join his battalion at the Dardenelles on 8 June 1915. He was admitted to hospital at Mudros with dyspepsia then sent to England on board the hospital ship Scotian on 5 September 1915 and arrived in England where he was admitted to Hospital in Birmingham. Three months later he was sent to Hornchurch to recuperate before rejoining his Battalion in Ismalia in March of 1916. On 6 April 1916 he sailed on the Franconia for the Western Front. He was killed in action on 26 September aged 38 when the New Zealand Division were involved in the Battle of Morval. His name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing.First NameCharles ChristianLast NameHibbittFamilySingleSon of Brewster and Elizabeth Anne HibbittDate of Birth10 April 1878Place of BirthAlford, LincolnshireDate of Death26 September 1916Place of DeathSommeCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death38
Charles was born in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, on 10th April 1878, son of Brewster and Elizabeth Anne Hibbitt. He was educated at Alford Grammar School and came to New Zealand in 1903. In the 1901 census he was living with his widowed mother who was farming. Before he enlisted he was working as a mechanic, a turner and fitter, for A. G. Holland, sawmiller at Darfield. He was 5ft 101/4in tall with dark complexion, green eyes and dark hair. He had two distinctive tattoos on his right arm, one a crucifix and the other a horse’s head with horse and whip.
Charles enlisted 14 January 1915 at Trentham and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked with the 4th Reinforcements on 17 April 1915 bound for Suez and then on to join his battalion at the Dardenelles on 8 June 1915. He was admitted to hospital at Mudros with dyspepsia then sent to England on board the hospital ship Scotian on 5 September 1915 and arrived in England where he was admitted to Hospital in Birmingham. Three months later he was sent to Hornchurch to recuperate before rejoining his Battalion in Ismalia in March of 1916. On 6 April 1916 he sailed on the Franconia for the Western Front. He was killed in action on 26 September aged 38 when the New Zealand Division were involved in the Battle of Morval. His name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing.First NameCharles ChristianLast NameHibbittFamilySingleSon of Brewster and Elizabeth Anne HibbittDate of Birth10 April 1878Place of BirthAlford, LincolnshireDate of Death26 September 1916Place of DeathSommeCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death38
Connections
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial to the Missing, Somme, FranceOccupation before EnlistingMechanic, Fitter and TurnerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details14th January 1914Service Number6/1871Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation17th April 1915Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTheatre of WarSommeReinforcement4th ReinforcementsCountryEngland
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license.
Private Charles Christian Hibbitt (Hubbard). Selwyn Stories, accessed 28/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/478