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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 918

A well-documented Great War Ace's M.C. group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant F. H. Hudson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who was perhaps the youngest aviator to gain Ace status during the Great War

Hudson notched up half a dozen victories with No. 54 Squadron from January-July 1917, before being shot down and taken a Prisoner of War; never one to rest on his laurels, Hudson found himself at the centre of activities from 'behind the wire' and earned himself a 'mention' for his fine services - he would be tragically killed, aged just 24, in a crash landing in Iraq in June 1922

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved '19.4.1916 2nd Lieut. F. N. Hudson (Buffs) R.F.C.', on original pin and in its case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. F. N. Hudson. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. F. N. Hudson. R.A.F.), good very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 30 March 1916:

'For conspicuous gallantry and skill on several occasions, notably when, although severely wounded in the head, he successfully completed his aerial reconnaissance.

After recrossing the line and landing at an aerodrome, he at once lost consciousness. This young officer is only 18 years of age, but has many times driven off enemy machines and twice forced them to the ground.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December 1919:

'...for gallantry whilst Prisoners of War in escaping, or attempting to escape, from captivity, or for valuable services rendered in the Prison Camps of the Enemy.'

Frank Neville Hudson - or 'Babe' to his friends and comrades - was born at Beckenham, Kent on 4 November 1897. Young Hudson attended Bradfield College and then went up to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, being commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). He managed to achieve his aim of transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, soon after taking Aero Club Certificate No. 1830 on 6 October 1915.

He went out to France in December as a founding member of No. 15 Squadron; flying the BE2c he was soon in action supporting the 2nd Army and almost met his end on 19 January 1916 when he was attacked by a group of Fokker Eindeckers. A spent cartridge jammed in his Aileron and limited his manoeuvrability, thankfully an FE Fighter drove off his attackers and Hudson would live to fight another day.

It would be a stunning action on 21 February 1916, when he was able to demonstrate the resilience that would lead to him being awarded the Military Cross: whilst on a Reconnaissance Patrol he was to receive a head wound from a piece of shrapnel from Anti-Aircraft fire, but managed to retain control of his aircraft. Having made a full recovery he was back in action with the Squadron in June 1916 and was recorded in the Communique of 26 September 1916:

'2Lt Hudson & 2Lt Manville 15 Squadron, on three separate occasions engaged and dispersed small bodies of infantry with machine gun fire. Many were seen to fall.'

The following day:

'15 Squadron attacked infantry, horse and motor transport from heights varying from 1,000 - 2,000 feet with machine gun fire.'

14 November:

'Captain Hudson and 2lt Laird brought artillery fire to bear and fired with their Lewis Guns on two parties of hostile infantry in their trenches. At this point Hudson was once again hit in the head by AA fire, rendering him unconscious. Fortunately the shouts of his Observer made him regain his senses and before he crashed, and was able to return across the lines to safety.'

Once again lucky to come away from this crash, Hudson transferred to No. 54 Squadron, the first unit to be equipped with the Sopwith Pup. Hudson, growing in experience and confidence, soon got to work and claimed his first 'kill' at 1410hrs on 27 January 1917 over Courcelette. He scored further victories on 13 February, 5 April (Balloon), 6 April and gained 'Ace' status on 26 April 1917 over Premont at 1910hrs, taking out an Albatros D.III. His sixth and final 'kill' would be scored on 11 July, before being himself shot down just two days later between Bruges and Ostend, being claimed by Jasta 20. Hudson was wounded, captured and spent the remainder of the Great War 'behind the wire'.

Not one to take his captivity easy, he threw himself into life at Gefangenenlager, Trier and was noted as the 'Business Manager' in the POW Camp, his name below the titles on The Barb, their self-printed magazine, which retailed at 1 Mark. The sixth edition was printed on 22 December 1917 and was a 'Double Christmas Number'. The magazine was to be printed every Saturday '...in the interests of Officer Prisoners of War.' For his fine work in this capacity, Hudson added a 'mention' to his laurels.

Returned home and transferred to the Royal Air Force upon the conclusion of hostilities, Hudson went to Baghdad and joined No. 6 Squadron (No Medal entitlement). On 6 June 1920 an Army unit was besieged at Rumaythah when F2b’s from his Squadron and RE8’s from No. 30 Squadron flew vital sorties to bomb the attacking forces and drop supplies to the beleaguered troops. His luck ran out on 31 May 1922 for when returning from a sortie supporting an Army Column that had marched out to face hostile tribesmen near the Hawraman Mountain range when, he crashed his machine on landing. Hudson lingered for six days before he died of his injuries. He was 24 years of age and is buried in the Ma'asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery just outside Baghdad.

Sold together with the following original archive:

(i)
His Pilot's Flying Log Book, starting on 17 December 1915, to include several of his combat reports.

(ii)
The Barb, Volume 1, No. 6 of 22 December 1917, including Hudson in a group photograph on the cover, a rare and perhaps unique survivor.

(iii)
R.A.F. Wings, with pin as worn on the reverse, together with another cloth Badge.

(iv)
A good file of copied research and extracts.

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Sold for
£4,000

Starting price
£3500