Commemoration panel
The wording reads: 'Hobart Way is named after Major General Sir Percy Hobart KBE, CB, DSO, MC, one time resident of Leadenporch House in Deddington, forefather of the legendary Desert Rats and "genius" developer of tanks that played a key role in the D Day landings, June 1944.
Following the unsuccessful raid on Dieppe in 1942, Winston Churchill recalled Hobart from retirement to lead the 79th Armoured Division, charged with developing amphibious tanks and armoured vehicles to support successful seaborne landings against heavily fortified defences.
“Hobo”, as he was known to many, led the engineers who created and tested special armoured vehicles designed to clear mines, destroy fortified bunkers, and cross soft ground and ditches.
These tanks were known as “Hobart’s Funnies” and were used to great effect in the Normandy landings and throughout the liberation of Europe in 1945. Many of the designs are still in use today.
Placed here by the North Oxon and Cotswold Military Vehicle Trust with the support of Hobart Way residents to mark the eightieth anniversary of the June 1944 D Day landings.'
Following the unsuccessful raid on Dieppe in 1942, Winston Churchill recalled Hobart from retirement to lead the 79th Armoured Division, charged with developing amphibious tanks and armoured vehicles to support successful seaborne landings against heavily fortified defences.
“Hobo”, as he was known to many, led the engineers who created and tested special armoured vehicles designed to clear mines, destroy fortified bunkers, and cross soft ground and ditches.
These tanks were known as “Hobart’s Funnies” and were used to great effect in the Normandy landings and throughout the liberation of Europe in 1945. Many of the designs are still in use today.
Placed here by the North Oxon and Cotswold Military Vehicle Trust with the support of Hobart Way residents to mark the eightieth anniversary of the June 1944 D Day landings.'