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Heroes at War

Heroes at War: Episode 4: Mobbs' Own War

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Episode 4

Episode 4: Mobbs' Own War

Mobbs' Own War

BBC Radio 5 Live - Heroes at War, Mobbs' Own War

The story of Edgar Mobbs, Northampton and England rugby captain and hero of WWI.

Tim Rodber tells the story of Edgar Mobbs, Northampton and England rugby captain and First World War hero.

As part of 5 live's 'Local Stories' series, former Northampton Saints, England and British Lions forward Tim Rodber tells the story of Edgar Mobbs. 

Before World War One, he was one of the town's most recognisable figures as captain of Northampton Saints RFC from 1907 to 1913. He also played and captained England. Denied a commission due to his age in September 1914, he set about raising his own company (known as "The Mobbs Own") and within 48-hours more than 400 men had volunteered. 

Mobbs was wounded three times during the war, was twice mentioned in dispatches, and received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in January 1917. However, on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele while leading a charge on a machine gun position, Mobbs lost his life. In this programme, his great-nephew, also named Edgar Mobbs, recalls his famous namesake from the steps of the Mobbs Memorial in Northampton.

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Stories of sporting heroes who went to into battle during the First World War

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