Patrick Hobson

Patrick John Bogan Hobson, MC (15 August 1933 – 29 September 2024) was a British Anglican clergyman and decorated British Army officer. After completing his schooling at 18, he entered the British Army to undertake his National Service. He was awarded the Military Cross for his service during the Korean War. He then studied law at the University of Cambridge, and worked as a district officer in the Colonial Service and then as a personnel manager. He later trained for ordination in the Church of England, and served in parish ministry from 1979 until he retired in 1998.

Military service

Hobson chose to join the British Army after school rather than deferring his National Service to after university. He was selected for officer training, which consisted of five months at the officer cadet training unit based at Eaton Hall, Cheshire. On 8 March 1952, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King's Regiment (Liverpool).

At 19 years old and newly commissioned, he led a platoon on the front line during the Korean War. His platoon held an isolated position and he personally undertook more successful patrols with accurate reports than any other NCO or officer in his battalion; during one such patrol, he lost an eye. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea during the period 1st January to 30th June, 1953". He was promoted to acting Lieutenant on 29 November 1953.