Arthur Hodgson (4 Oct 1931 - 30 May 2023)

In loving memory of Arthur Hodgson who sadly passed away on 30th May 2023

Arthur was born on 4 October1931 in West Yorkshire. He was the eldest of three children and was “big brother” to Eileen and Barrie after his father was shot down in 1944 over France. He married Beryl on 4 December 1954 at St Clements Church Leigh on Sea Essex and was married for 67 years before her death in 2021. They met at a barn dance at Southend Hospital where Beryl and Eileen were in training as nurses. He had two daughters Jo b 1955 and Louise b 1959 d. 2022, three grandchildren and a great grandson.
Arthur did his National Service in the Navy qualifying as a physiotherapist and achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. On leaving the Navy he joined the Civil service as an Executive Officer and worked in local DHSS local offices rising to Principal. He completed his career working at the CPS in Central London.
Arthur was widely travelled from Spain in 1960s to Malaysia, Australia, India and, Caribbean. After he took early retirement he and Beryl followed the England cricket team around the world.

He was an active member of his local cricket club - Hadleigh and Thundersley Cricket Club both as a player and then as an official. He was a Member of MCC but could not be persuaded to buy the egg and bacon blazer to go with his tie.

He completed the Times crossword daily as well as the Observer crossword and entered competitions.
He was definitely a self made intellect. He won a scholarship to Bradford High School but could not take it up as his mother moved the family south to Essex. He was honest to a fault, hated conflict, was loyal and always played everything with a straight bat. He leaves a big hole in our world

Words from his granddaughter Alice : Elephant grass … does it provide elephants? I never knew .. but grandad told me it did. This man me feel like there was an elephant on the edge of the street!! He also mocked me for not know what a microwave was .. 8 years we went thought the same conversation about microwaves Talking about the same conversation… you ever heard the Arthur version of the princess and the pea? Me neither it was always different I love you x I am the most proud that I made you great I love you xx

Arthur didn't want any official service or religious ceremony please celebrate his life in your own way.