South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Foncquevillers Military Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 23 March 1915 in Havre, France | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Local actions on The Somme | Commissioned on 19 Oct 1914 (Gazette) | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Gommecourt | King Edward School OTC | King Edwards School, Edgbaston |
| St Mary’s Church Memorial, Moseley |
- Promoted to Lieutenant on 2 Jun 1915 (Gazette)
Circumstances of Death
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John is listed as being killed in action on 30th November 1915. The extremely brief 1st/5th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below along with an Obituary from the Stratford Herald. His entry in the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour states that he was killed in action by a German sniper whilst pointing out the location of an enemy Trench Mortor to a colleague. War Diary EntryGommecourt Trenches - 30.11.1915: Lt. J.W.W. Hudson killed. Stratford Herald ObituaryStraford Herald Friday 10th December 1915 Another officer to fall in his country’s service is Lieutenant John W. Hudson, elder son of Mr. Percy Hudson of Birmingham, a nephew of Mr. Reginald Hudson of Warwick Road, Stratford on Avon. He was well known in this town as his father, during the summer months, used to take up his residence in the neighbourhood. Lieutenant Hudson who, prior to obtaining a commission was associated with his father in the firm of Hudson & Son, Printers of Livery Street and Edmund Street, was only 20 years of age. He was educated at King Edwards High School where he served in the cadet corps. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant on 24th November 1914 and attached to the 2nd or Reserve Battalion of the 5th Royal Warwicks. On the 19th March of this year however, he and one other subaltern were chosen for transference to the 1st 5th Royal Warwicks and a few days later on 22nd March left England with the Regiment for France. Lieutenant Hudson had been at the front just over 8 months. He gave his young life in a noble cause. In these words Brigadier General Sir John Barnsley wrote “the supreme sacrifice made by Lieutenant Hudson” the letter proceeded “he died for his country just as if he had lost his life in fighting the Germans on their native soil. I want to say how much I admired him. When I was commanding the 2nd 5th Warwicks this time last year I formed a very high opinion of his capacity as an officer and always felt perfectly sure that when he joined the 1st 5th he would acquit himself well and from reports I have received he has done splendidly". |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 11 Jul 1895 in Edgbaston | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Percy William and Katie Hudson | Meerend, 60 Salisbury Road, Moseley |
| Schools | Schools |
| Greenhill School, Moseley | King Edward School, Edgbaston 1907 |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1895 - Moseley | 1901 - School age |
| 1901 - Meerend, 60 Salisbury Road, Moseley | 1911 - Scholar at King Edward's School |
| 1911 - King Edward's School, Edgbaston | 1914 - Hudson & Sons Printers, Birmingham |
| 1914 - Meerend, 60 Salisbury Road, Moseley | |
- The family either owned or used Cliffe Cottage, Stratford on Avon.
- Photograph courtesy of King Edward School, Edgbaston