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Arthur HUDSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: HUDSON

Forename(s): Arthur

Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire

Service No: 54233

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Canadian Infantry

Battalion / Unit: 18th Battalion (Western Ontario)

Division: 2nd Canadian Division

Age: 29

Date of Death: 1916-04-12

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 10 - 26 - 28.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Arthur Hudson (born 28 September 1888) was the son of Marmaduke and Margaret Hudson, née Booth. Marmaduke was born at Skipton, Yorkshire and Margaret in the Parish of Church, Lancashire.

1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 17, Keighley Road - Arthur Hudson, aged 3 years, born Skipton, son of Marmaduke and Margaret Hudson.

1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 14, Coach Street - Arthur Hudson, aged 13 years, born Skipton, son of Marmaduke and Margaret Hudson.

Canadian service records: http://www.baclac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

SKIPTON

HUDSON, Arthur, Canadian Regt., youngest son of Mr. H [sic]. Hudson, Brook Street, Skipton, killed in action, France, April 12, 1916.

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Private Arthur HUDSON

Private Arthur HUDSON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Canadian Infantry

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Canadian Infantry

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 2nd Canadian Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 2nd Canadian Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: No entry in SDGW - Canadian Forces.

Forename(s):

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted:

Number:

Rank:

Regiment:

Battalion:

Decorations:

Died Date:

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Theatre of War:

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: HUDSON

Forename(s): Arthur

Country of Service: Canadian

Service Number: 54233

Rank: Private

Regiment: Canadian Infantry

Unit: 18th Bn.

Age: 29

Awards:

Died Date: 12/04/1916

Additional Information: Son of Marmaduke and Margaret Hudson, of 168, Vesper Rd., Kirkstall, Leeds, England.

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Memorial Chamber of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Memorial Chamber of Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

In the Memorial Chamber are the eight ‘Books of Remembrance’ that contain the names of more than 120,000 Canadians who gave their lives in the service of Canada

Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)

Page from the First World War ‘Book of Remembrance’: Private Arthur Hudson

Page from the First World War ‘Book of Remembrance’: Private Arthur Hudson

Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman, Clitheroe)

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07 May 1915

SKIPTONIAN COLONIAL – Son of a Warrior Family

Private Arthur Hudson, a stalwart Skiptonian who has seen service at the front, has been wounded, and has been on a short visit to his relatives in Brook Street, whom he left five years ago. Before his return to Charing Cross Hospital on Tuesday evening, Hudson was seen by a ‘Herald’ representative. Although exceedingly reticent, he had much of interest to relate. He was working in America when the war broke out, but the cry of “Your King and Country needs you” awoke in him a keen spirit of patriotism. “Along with many others I enlisted as soon as I heard the call, and I am not the only one by thousands,” he declared. “The trouble was not to get men, but to keep them back. Canada won’t let England in – so I came.”

A Narrow Shave

It was in a hand-to-hand fight with one of the enemy that Hudson received his wound. The German bayonets, he states, are much, longer than those of the British, and in his conflict with his antagonist Hudson warded off with his right hand a blow aimed at his heart. His hand was pierced by the German bayonet, but Hudson managed to run his enemy through before the German could recover his footing.

The stories of German cowardice are quite correct, he declares, for on finding themselves in a tight corner they throw up their hands and howl for mercy. But there are exceptions, and he has met some “good fellows” among the enemy.

Firing in the line is arduous work; a rifle discharging 15 rounds a minute, needs some holding. It is the German shells that do the mischief. After a shell has dropped he has seen the bodies of men tossed in the air as if they had been tossed from a blanket. Hudson’s contingent suffered severely. They went out one night a thousand strong but the next morning there were only 150 to answer the roll-call.

A Military Family

Hudson comes of a military family. He is the youngest son of the late Mr. Marmaduke Hudson, of Brook Street, Skipton, and brother of Sergt. Major Herbert Hudson – now in Jamaica – who saw considerable service in South Africa. His grandfather, who died at the age of 101, went through the Crimean war and was at the Battle of Waterloo. Mrs. Hudson remembers when fourteen years of age, gathering along with other children round the veteran’s knees and persuading him to tell them stories of the war.

During his short stay at home Hudson has been highly popular with the Bradford Brigade and the West Yorkshires in training. “These boys are still only chocolate soldiers,” says Hudson, but in no disparaging manner, for he quickly adds that all soldiers who have not been in the firing line come under the same category. He himself was one before he “went out and tasted fire,” and he had no doubt that every man of them – Territorials and ‘Pals’ alike would give a good account or themselves when given the opportunity.

It is five years since Hudson went to America, but he has acquired the accent. He was well known in Skipton, and received quite an ovation from old acquaintances when passing Dewhursts’ mill at noon on Tuesday.

19 November 1915

KEEPING UP ‘PLOT’ DAY

Private A. Hudson, 18th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Expeditionary Force, has written an interesting letter to relatives in Brook Street, Skipton. He says:– “The war is great stuff. Lots of fun. If you are not shooting Germans you are shooting rats. There are thousands of them in the trenches. We have been having lots of rotten weather lately; mud in some places up to your thighs.

“We did not forget to let the Germans know it was the 5th November; our guns didn’t half send shells over. The Germans shelled a civilian farmhouse the other day, and killed the father, mother and daughter, practically blowing them to pieces. Our fellows will get even with them for it.

“When you write Herbert (a brother of Pte. Hudson) tell him I will meet him in Berlin. I am pleased to hear Skipton is doing so well in recruiting. Hope to see you all after a trip through Germany at the Kaiser’s expense.”

21 April 1916

KILLED IN FRANCE – Pte. HUDSON, SECOND CANADIAN REGIMENT

It is reported (unofficially at the time of writing) that Pte. Arthur Hudson, 2nd Canadian Regiment, youngest son of the late Mr. Marmaduke Hudson, and Mrs. Hudson, of Brook Street, Skipton, has been killed in action in France.

News has come to hand during the past week in a letter from a friend of Hudson’s that a shell burst near him and killed him instantaneously. Hudson had written recently in a very cheerful strain, giving interesting accounts of the fighting. Hudson was in America when war broke out and immediately enlisted in the Canadian Contingent, while serving with which he was wounded in April last year, and spent a short time in Skipton during his convalescence.

Interviewed on the occasion, Hudson gave a graphic account of his adventure with a German, which resulted in his wound – a bayonet thrust in the hand – and spoke of the terrible losses the contingent had suffered. One night they went out a thousand strong and returned with about 200.

The deceased soldier comes of a military family. His brother, Sergt.-Major Hudson, who has been at home on leave after serving through the campaign in the Cameroons, saw service in the South African War with the famous Yorkshire Regiment. His grandfather, who died at the age of 101, went through the Crimean War and was at the battle of Waterloo.

28 April 1916

SKIPTON SOLDIER’S DEATH CONFIRMED

The relatives of the late Pte. A. Hudson, 18th Battalion, Canadian Contingent, have received official confirmation of his death from the Canadian Record Office, London. The letter, which expresses the sympathy and regret of the Militia Council, states that Pte. Hudson was killed in action on April 12th.

A further letter of confirmation has also been received from Captain E.H. Shuttleworth, Pte. Hudson’s Company Commander. It is in the following terms:– “Dear Madam, – It is my sad duty to inform you that your son, Pte. Arthur Hudson, was killed in action on April 12th, 1916, whilst fighting in a post of vast importance which had to be held at all costs. His officer, Mr. Gwyn, was nearby at the time, but death was instantaneous. He was carried from the trench by his comrades and buried in the military cemetery the following day.

“Pte. Hudson was known as a good soldier and died as a brave man; he was beloved by officers and men throughout the company. It is a great loss to you, and may God give you comfort in your sorrow. If I can be of further service in giving you particulars concerning the sad event, I shall be only too glad to do what I can.”

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07 May 1915

SKIPTON MAN’S NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

Another Skipton man to be wounded at the front, though not seriously, is Private Arthur Hudson, of the 18th Battalion Canadian Regiment, son of Mrs. Marmaduke Hudson, of 8, Brook Street, Skipton. Pte. Hudson, who is paying a short visit to his home during the week, informed our representative that he left Skipton for Canada about five years ago, and upon the outbreak of the war he was at Chicago. When reading a paper one day he noticed the words ‘Your King and Country need you,’ so he thought it his duty to enlist, and a short time afterwards he joined the 18th Battalion. After being in training for some time, they were told one day in February that they were going on a fourteen miles route march, but they never returned to Barracks. Instead they had to entrain for Halifax and were greatly surprised when they had to embark for France, for they had not the slightest warning that they were going to leave the country that day. Upon arrival in France they were quickly ordered to the Front, and though his regiment had not taken part in the fighting around Ypres, it had been fiercely engaged on several occasions. He had been in two bayonet charges and both times they had captured German trenches. In the second charge Private Hudson received his wound, and but for his presence of mind would certainly have been killed. A German rushed at him with the bayonet and he would have been pierced through the body had he not quickly grasped the bayonet with his right hand and turned the thrust to one side. That was the last thrust the German ever made, for a friend of Private Hudson accounted for him immediately afterwards. Private Hudson had received a severe gash across the inside of his hand and he thinks it will be two months before he will again be fit to take up his place in the trenches. As everyone knows the Canadians have been, and are still in the fiercest fighting, and in one day Private Hudson’s regiment lost over 800 men, killed and wounded. Private Hudson has now returned to London where he will stay until he has recovered from his wound.

Mrs. Hudson has also another son serving with the colours, viz., Sergt.-Major Herbert Hudson, of the 2nd Indian Regiment, stationed at Kingston, Jamaica. He writes home to say that he is having a rough time of it, and wishes he was at the front.

20 April 1916

ANOTHER SKIPTON MAN KILLED – Previously Wounded in a Bayonet Charge

News has been received this week that Private Arthur Hudson, of the 18th Battalion Canadian Regiment, and son of Mrs. Marmaduke Hudson of 8, Brook Street, Skipton, has been killed at the Front. The relatives have received the sad news in a letter from a chum of the deceased who stated that a shell burst a few yards away and killed him instantaneously.

Private Hudson was wounded last year, and while he was paying a short visit to his home he informed a ‘Pioneer’ representative that he left Skipton for Canada about five years ago, and upon the outbreak of the war he was at Chicago. When reading a paper one day he noticed the words ‘Your King and Country need you’, so he thought it was his duty to enlist, and a short time afterwards he joined the 18th Battalion. After being in training for some time, they were told one day in February that they were going for a fourteen mile route march, but they never returned to Barracks. Instead, they had to entrain for Halifax and were greatly surprised when they had to embark for France, for they had not had the slightest warning that they were going to leave the country that day. Upon arrival in France they were quickly ordered to the Front, and had been fiercely engaged on several occasions. He had been in two bayonet charges and both times they had captured German trenches. In the second charge, Private Hudson was wounded, and but for his presence of mind would certainly have been killed. A German rushed at him with a bayonet and he would have been pierced through the body had he not quickly grasped the bayonet with his right hand and turned the thrust to one side. That was the last thrust the German ever made, for a friend of Private Hudson’s accounted for him immediately afterwards. Private Hudson had received a severe gash across the inside of his hand and he thought it would be two months before he would again be fit to take up his place in the trenches. The Canadians had been in the fiercest fighting, and in one day Private Hudson’s regiment lost over 800 men, killed and wounded.

Mrs. Hudson has also another son serving with the Colours, viz., Sergeant Major Herbert Hudson, of the 2nd Indian Regiment, and he is now home on leave and waiting to be transferred to another regiment.

28 April 1916

PTE. ARTHUR HUDSON’S DEATH CONFIRMED

The death of Private Arthur Hudson, of the 18th Battalion, Canadian Contingent, and son of Mrs. Marmaduke Hudson of 8 Brook Street, Skipton, has now been officially confirmed. He was killed in action in France on April 16th. A letter has also been received from Captain E.H. Shuttleworth, the deceased young man’s company commander, and he states that Private Hudson was killed whilst assisting in holding a post of great importance which had to be retained at all costs. His was killed instantaneously and was buried the following day in a military cemetery. Captain Shuttleworth also speaks of Private Hudson as a good soldier who died as a brave man should.

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    One Response to Arthur HUDSON

    1. Russell Atherton May 7, 2021 at 9:31 pm #

      I have the death plaque for a Canadian soldier by the name of Arthur Hudson who died in France in1916 I would love to get it back to his family !!!

    Leave a Reply to Russell Atherton Click here to cancel reply.

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