Jack Hobbs - First World War

First World War

Unlike many other cricketers, Hobbs did not immediately join the army, but instead worked in a munitions factory, possibly as a clerk. Hobbs later wrote that he was criticised for not joining up, but claimed he did not realise how serious the war would be, and was aware of his obligations to his family. Hobbs initially remained on the Surrey staff, but from March 1915 he found extra work as coach at Westminster School. In May 1915, Hobbs began to play on Saturdays in the Bradford Cricket League as a professional for Idle. The continuation of competitive cricket in Bradford, when all other such cricket had ceased, was controversial. Several clubs hired top-class professionals, including Sydney Barnes, and matches became very popular. Hobbs' arrival was eagerly anticipated but he never reached the heights expected, averaging 36.63 throughout the season. However, the signing of Hobbs provoked an angry exchange of correspondence between Yorkshire president Lord Hawke, who was highly critical of the employment of professionals, and John Booth, the president of the Bradford League. It is possible that Hawke's criticism was the reason for his poor relationship with Hobbs in later years. Hobbs never publicly commented on the matter, but was instrumental in recruiting Frank Woolley to play in the league in 1916. Hobbs contract at Westminster was not renewed for 1916, and Surrey reduced its playing staff, but he continued to play for Idle, receiving special dispensation from the munitions factory to leave early on Saturdays to travel to Bradford. His family, including his brothers who served in the war, resented this apparent favouritism towards Hobbs. Hobbs was more successful at Idle in 1916, scoring 790 runs at 52.60 and taking 65 wickets at 6.27, but his conscription into the Royal Flying Corps meant this was his final season of regular cricket in the league.

Hobbs joined the Corps in October 1916 as an air mechanic and after training was posted to London, then Norfolk; at first he had time to appear in charity cricket matches and in several games for Idle. In November 1917, he joined 110 Squadron which remained in England despite plans to send it to fight in France. By 1918, the cricket authorities began to arrange more matches and Hobbs played successfully several times at Lord's. In September 1918, 110 Squadron, as part of the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF), was sent to France and took an active part in the fighting, but Hobbs never discussed his career in the RAF. Even so, some of his family remained critical and felt that the worst of the war was over when Hobbs went to France. He was demobilised in February 1919.