Hi Dave
I have not found Herbert in the research I've done so far, so if there is a link I think it would be further back.
I guess your Herbert would be the 3rd one in this list taken from the 1901 census index...
Herbert Hodgkiss 15 Lye Worcester Worcester Lye Clay Carrier
Herbert Hodgkiss 19 Salop Market Drayton Staffordshire Ashley
Herbert Hodgkiss 23 Staffordshire Hartshill Gloucestershire Cheltenham Ironmongers Assistant
This would make him alive at the time of the 1881 census, and the best match I could find for him is
Dwelling 29 Wood St, Dudley, Worcester, England
Abraham HODGKISS Head M Male 33 Dudley, Worcester, England Grocer
Emma HODGKISS Wife M Female 30 Bristol, Somerset, England
George HODGKISS Son Male 6 Dudley, Worcester, England Scholar
Frederick HODGKISS Son Male 4 Dudley, Worcester, England
Ellen HODGKISS Daur Female 2 Dudley, Worcester, England
***Herbert HODGKISS Son Male 3 m Dudley, Worcester, England
In 1881 there is also a Herbert born in 1877 but in Lancashire, which looks a bit too far away from Hartshill, but you never know...
Dwelling 178 & 180 Manchester Rd, Ince In Makerfield, Lancashire, England
Richard HODGKISS Head M Male 41 Lancashire, England Butcher (Master)
Alice HODGKISS Wife M Female 39 Lancashire, England Butcher Wife
Robert HODGKISS Son U Male 18 Lancashire, England Butcher (Journeyman)
Alfred Thomas (William) HODGKISS Son Male 13 Lancashire, England Butcher (Apprentice)
William James HODGKISS Son Male 11 Lancashire, England Scholar
Walter HODGKISS Son Male 8 Lancashire, England Scholar
****Herbert HODGKISS Son Male 4 Lancashire, England Scholar
Arthur HODGKISS Son Male 1 Lancashire, England
Eliza Alice HODGKISS Daur Female 1 m Lancashire, England
Alice ECKERSLEY Relative U Female 22 Lancashire, England Gen Serv (Domestic)
John Peter ECKERSLEY Relative Male 1 Lancashire, England
I am not familiar with either of these families in my research so far, but maybe we will find a link a bit further back. Good luck with your reseach and I will let you know if I find anything
PS I assume you are familiar with the census websites I have used. If not
1881 UK census :
http://www.familysearch.org1901 UK censys :
http://www.census.pro.gov.uk/Best wishes
Jason