Hubert Sobotta

“As long as we live, he too will live. For he is now a part of us, as we remember him.”

Hubert was born in Germany on 9th October 1925.

He was the second son to be born to hard working parents, Theresa & Felix and a
younger brother to George.

In his younger school years Hubert was given the name of Cavalier Sobotta by the
school headmaster, for his exploits at school mainly involving the fairer sex.

Hubert was not excluded from assisting the army, he was one of many children in
Germany who were scouts (not to be confused with the Hitler Youth organisations)
and acted in a role behind the front but supporting the army.

After the war finished, he once again found himself on a slow boat, returning home,
or so he thought, but the ship docked in Liverpool and the prisoners were detained
once again, this time in the UK.

Back in 1945 the UK was suffering for the effects of war. Prisoners of war could be
detained for a period to work on the land, and this is what happened to Hubert but fate
dealt a good hand because he met his wife Betty, whilst working on a farm.

When he arrived in England, he couldn’t speak any English, but Betty taught him using the Victor comic. Like anyone learning to read and speak a language, he eventually improved, and he later progressed to the Dandy, the Beano and The Sun.

Those who knew Hubert and Betty, will be well versed on the stories of their courtship, but they were married on 29th September 1951 and had two sons, David & Nigel & they remained married for 68 years until Betty’s sudden death last October.

Hubert was no stranger to hard work and would swap jobs on a fairly regular basis. His first job was at Holland’s Cheese in Nantwich. He started as a warehouseman, then a driver and on to a manager, running the place on some days.

He didn’t suffer fools, but he valued the friendships he made along the way, sadly some were unable to attend his funeral and of course there are those others who have sadly passed away.

After Holland’s he went on to work for George Bassett before he retired. He retired about six times before he actually called time on working for a living, but at least there was a party on each occasion.

His last job was working for Graham as a labourer in the building game. Graham soon came to realise what a gem of a guy Hubert was and out of all the jobs he had, he enjoyed this one the most. He had a great friendship with Graham, although I’m sure there were days when Graham wondered who the boss was.

Hubert didn’t suffer fools gladly but he could never hold a grudge for longer than a couple of weeks!

Hubert enjoyed a tipple or two especially after finishing work on a Saturday lunch time, going to the pub in Nantwich.

He loved family holiday, especially visiting Poland then after the kids, opted out of family holidays, he would be off whenever he could, he enjoyed being out with friends.

Very sadly Hubert passed away on 20th October 2020 aged 95 years.

His funeral took place on 29th October 2020 at Crewe Crematorium.