2
« on: Friday 01 April 22 21:59 BST (UK) »
Ernest edward Hudman was born 16th March 1889 in Tywning Gloucestershire.
Enlisted with 3 South Wales Borderers 14th March 1905 (claiming to be 18)
I have a copy of his enlistment and it notes he was transfered to Worcs Regt 28th May 1905.
I believe his record of service in the 2 Worcestershire regt may have been in the "burnt records" His brother Tom served in same regt and they were in India at the same time, his record survives. I found Ernest's disembarcation date for France as 27 Aug 1914 and I recently found a newspaper article of wounded from the Worcestershire Regt ( Bromsgrove and Droitwich Messenger 14 Nov 1914) and Ernest was listed as wounded.
I know he was at Tregantle, Cornwall sometime in 1915. He had a friend George King who was in France and George's family lived in Plymouth. George had obviously given Ernest their address, so he visited them to see if they had any news of George. There he met and fell in love with George's sister Harriet Ellen (Nellie, My Grandmother) and they wanted to marry. Ernest had to get permission to marry and as there nearly 9 years difference in age, permission was refused.
Ernest went absent and was listed as a deserter 19 Dec 1915. However, on the 23 Dec 1915 Ernest was in Cardiff enlisting into the Army as driver in the Army Service Corps, with their wedding already planned for Jan 12th 1916.
Ernest was released due to illness Jan 1919 and I have an idea of where he was during his time with the ASC due to notes in his pension documents.
I would love to know more about Ernest's service in the Worcestershire Regt and how or where he was injured, I feel I never will, but someone reading this may have a suggestion. Unfortunatly Ernest died relatively young (53) before my parents had even met. Any help or
suggestions gratefully recieved!!!