Jeremiah Hudson

Jeremiah was the son of William Henry and Theresa (Thirza?) Hudson and in 1891 they lived at 30 St Peters Street Radford Nottingham. His siblings were - Richard H; Elinor; Julia; Alice J; Frank; In 1901 he was living at Normanton Barracks Derby. Jeremiah Hudson married Ethel Tarr in 1903 at Nottingham, they lived at 6 Washington Street, Nottingham, they went on to have the following children, Jeremiah born 1st October 1906, Samuel born 24th January 1911 and Joseph born 27th December 1913. In 1911 they lived at 3 Hewitt's Yard Baldwin Street Nottingham. Following his death his plaque and medals were sent to Mrs E Hudson 6 Washington Street Nottingham. A Pension of 20 shillings and 6d a week for widow and 3 children from 24 January 1916. Ethel married Samuel Timmins in 1918 and they lived at 21 Washington Street Colwick Street Nottingham.

In 1901 he was a soldier, in 1911 a bobbin carriage hand maker and in 1914 a lace factory hand.

Private Jeremiah Hudson enlisted into the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) in 1901. He was discharged on 18 February 1907. He re-enlisted on 24 August 1914, aged 32 years and 65 days. Jeremiah was sent to 3rd Reserve Battalion for training and posted to France on 17 December 1914, eventually joining the 1st Battalion on 17 February 1915. On 14 March 1915 he was shot in the chest and a day later discharged to base. On 16th, a gunshot wound to the ribs was mentioned and he was sent down the medical chain, arriving at 11 General Hospital Rouen on 19th. On 13 April, he was still at Rouen, although two days later Jeremiah was returned to unit. Less than a month later he would be killed at Aubers. On 9 May 1915, the 2nd East Lancashires attacked supported by two companies of Foresters. Once again the British artillery had been ineffective and enemy machine gunners decimated the infantry. 'B' company managed to get within 40 yards of the enemy wire, only to find that it had only been cut in one place. A halt was ordered and the two companies fell back to reorganise. Another attack was attempted and yet again the enemy machine gunners took a heavy toll. The enemy artillery then began enfilade fire on the Foresters trenches causing more casualties. At some point during the morning Jeremiah was killed, one of 86 that day. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial

In memoriam published 9th May 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HUDSON. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Jerry Hudson, 1st Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in action May 9th, 1915. Never will his memory fade, but like the ivy cling. – From his sisters Julia (Randall-street, Hyson Green) and Jenny (Rifleman Inn, Kirke White-street).” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918