William John Hudson

He was the son of William Thomas Wall Hudson a librarian and Annie Sarah Hudson née Sworder. His father was born in 1863 in Nottingham and his mother was born in 1873 in London. They married in the Nottingham Registration district in 1896. They had four children, all born in Nottingham - Thomas Arthur b1897, William John b1899, Doris May b1902 and Frank Charles b1902. In 1911 the family lived at 23 Mafeking Street and later at 55 Lees Hill Road (both Sneinton Nottingham).

William John known as ‘John’ to his family and friends and gave his name as John Hudson when he enlisted in Nottingham (he was underage as in the 1911 census he is shown as being 12 yrs of age ) he served with 'A' Coy 1/7th Robin Hood Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. His medal index card indicates he first arrived in theatre (France) on 25th June 1915. He was killed in action when a shell exploded near him whilst he was manning a trench. This is confirmed in the War diaries’ for the Robin Hoods’ War Diary for the 27th August 1915 where (unusually for a private soldier) he is mentioned by name. He was buried in Hedge Row Cemetery, Belgium where he is named upon a special memorial.

He was born J/A/S/1898 so may have been 17 when killed.