Major Alfred “Alf” Hodges, MC

Early black and gray portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Alf Hodges, MC.

Major Alfred “Alf” Hodges, MC, was born in Somerset, England, in 1917. Hodges’ parents emigrated to Windsor, Ontario and later married in 1914. It would not be until 1915 that his parents returned to England. Alf’s father, John Hodges, was in the 33rd Battalion and was wounded at the Battle of Somme during World War I. Hodges’ mother, Eleanor, returned to England to aid John and nurse his injury. In the following years, Eleanor and John stayed in England and raised Alfred and his siblings there.

In 1919, the Hodges family returned to Windsor, Ontario, where Hodges attended King George Public School, Walkerville Collegiate, and Lowe Vocational School. In 1937, Hodges worked at the Windsor Daily Star. Hodges’ journalism career was of substantial benefit to the Essex Scottish Regiment, as he documented the events and soldier experiences of World War II. Hodges was employed at the Windsor Daily Star for a brief time. Later, Hodges was employed in the advertising department of the Chrysler Department.

In 1940, Hodges joined the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Scottish Regiment as a Private. It would only be a couple of weeks later that Hodges was promoted to Corporal. Hodges stated that “it was simply because the ‘powers-to-be' found out I could type, write shorthand, etc.” Additionally, Hodges was also appointed Clerk of “B” Company. Throughout WWII, Hodges progressed through the ranks of Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, to Major. On 16 October 1945 at Buckingham Palace, King George VI presented Hodges with a Military Cross for gallantry while commanding B Company.

In November 1951, Lieutenant-Colonel Walter L. McGregor announced he would relinquish his command of the Essex Scottish Regiment. Hodges replaced McGregor as Commanding Officer. Hodges was respected throughout the Regiment as a successful leader. In 1953, Hodges led the Essex Scottish at Camp Niagara on the Lake. The unit of 140 men returned home with the Number One Infantry Brigade Military Proficiency Trophy. The unit earned the trophy two years in a row. Thus, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge’s leadership, the officers and men continued the tradition of success established by the pre-war unit.”

Hodges played a key role in part the amalgamation of the Essex Scottish and Kent Regiments in 1954. He was the last commanding officer of the Essex Scottish Regiment and the first of the Essex and Kent Scottish.

In 1950 and 1951, Hodges wrote eleven articles for the Windsor Daily Star (now Windsor Star), recollecting the war and wartime experiences with each article focussing on a major battle of WWII involving the Scottish. His articles, for the most part, related to his personal experiences as an officer in the Regiment from July 1945 to May 1945 including Normandy breakout, the Scheldt, Hochwald Forest, The Battle of the Rhine and the liberation of Northern Holland. In 1995, The Windsor Star republished Hodges’ written work in commemoration of 50 years since the war’s end plus some new articles. Hodges’ articles in the Windsor Daily Star created an immersive experience for the families at home recounting the heroic deeds the Essex Scottish men encountered and endured.

In January 1956, Hodges retired as commanding officer. Hodges spent the following thirty-three years working at Sterling Drug Limited, where he retired in 1979 as Corporate Vice-President and secretary. Additionally, Alf Hodges was a continually active member of the Windsor community. He was a member of groups such as Windsor Ad and Sales Club, Drug Trade and Advertising Associations, and many more.

He was appointed the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment from 1991 to 1994 and Honorary Colonel from 1994 to 1998.

Hodges passed away on 10 January 2003, leaving behind a legacy of local journalism.

Story by Taylor Blackmere, Canada Summer Jobs 2022 Participant
with The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association.

Sources

• Duty Nobly Done, The History of The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment by Sandy Antal and Kevin R. Shackleton, 2006 – Chapters 12, 15
• Col. Alfred Hodges. Legacy by the Windsor Star – January 13, 2003.
• Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association archival collection

“Winning the Fight for Holland.” Written by Lieutenant-Colonel Alf Hodges, MC between 1950-51 for the Windsor Daily Star (Now Windsor Star). The Essex Scottish liberation of Holland.

“War Hero ‘Instilled Respect.’” The newspaper clipping obituary of Lieutenant-Colonel Alf Hodges, MC in the Windsor Star.