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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 212

The unique Great War M.C., Boer War D.C.M. and dated Gallipoli Bar awarded to Major J. Hudson, Connaught Rangers, late Northern Nigeria Regiment and Irish Guards

He took the first gallantry award to the Irish Guards, during the Boer War, before being awarded a rare Dated Second Award Bar to his D.C.M. whilst serving with the Connaught Rangers in Gallipoli, finally adding the M.C. to his laurels whilst serving the Connaught Rangers in Mesopotamia; Hudson left a remarkable account of his service, a copy of which is included

Military Cross, G.V.R. (Capt. J. Hudson 1st. Batt. Conn. Rangers); Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R., dated Second Award Bar '10-11th August 1915' (598 Clr: Serjt: J. Hudson. Irish Gds:); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, 1897-98, 1898, 1900 (Serjt: J. Hudson. Irish Gds:); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (598 Clr:-Serjt: J. Hudson. Irish Guards); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, N. Nigeria (4558 Clr: Serjt: J. Hudson. 2nd N. Nigeria Regt); 1914-15 Star (3010 S. Mjr J. Hudson. Conn. Rang.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaves (Major J. Hudson); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4558 Q.M:Sjt: J. Hudson. Conn. Rngrs.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (4558 W.O.CL.2. J. Hudson. D.C.M. Conn. Rang), some light contact marks, otherwise very fine (10)

Approximately 53 dated Bars to the D.C.M. were awarded during the Great War, this being up until 15 Spetember 1916, when an order for 500 Bars was placed on 4 December 1916, these latterly being the new laurelled version.

M.C. London Gazette 7 February 1918.

D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.

Second Award Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1916:

'For conspicuous gallantry at Sari Bair Gallipoli Peninsula, on 10th and 11th August 1915, when he no less than three times volunteered for and carried through minor operations although exposed to a severe cross fire.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 January 1916.

John Hudson was born on 20 February 1875 at Killygarvan, Rathmullan, County Donegal, Ireland. He originally attested into the Connaught Rangers on 20 June 1893 at Athlone. A keen soldier, he was quickly promoted to Lance-Corporal on 30 January 1894, Corporal, 22 November 1895 and to Lance-Sergeant on 15 September 1897. He was seconded for service with the 2nd Battalion, West Africa Regiment on 11 February 1898 and was further promoted to Sergeant on 1 September 1898, remaining in West Africa until January 1901. Whilst there he served variously in Eastern Borgu under Colonel Wilcock (August 1898), on Bassa Expedition under Major Stanley, Royal Niger Company (March 1899), the Gurara Expedition under Captain Monk Mason, the Koduna Expedition under Colonel Morland, the Kadura & Kuntagora Expedition under Colonel Lowry Cole, the Kegi Expedition under Colonel Morland and the Wushishi Expedition under Major O'Neil.

He recalls:

'I was given Special Mention in Dispatches by Colonel Morland whilst serving with the Kegi Expedition May 1901. The War Office have persistently refused to recognise this Special Mention, although I had produced the following documents in support of it:-

1) An extract from Records of the 2nd Battn West African Frontier Force signed by the Regtl Adjutant, showing and recording that I had been Specially Mentioned, and quoting the Frontier Force Order in which my name appeared signed by the Commandant of the Force Colonel Keraball.

2) A letter from Colonel Lowry Cole to the Officer Commanding the Irish Guards, when I made application to transfer to Irish Guards on their formation, amongst other recommendations he stated "...this Non Commissioned Officer has already distinguished himself in action in the Colony". What further concrete proof was necessary yet War Office have always rejected the claim I have reams of correspondence on this matter and intend keeping it up so long as I live. We were on active service all the time we served in the Colony and from January 1900 to October 1900 I was on one expedition after another. During this period I had only 5 days in Headquarters from 1st to 5th July.'

With the formation of the Irish Guards on 1 April 1900, Hudson was transferred to the newly-formed Regiment on 20 December 1900. He saw service in South Africa with the Irish Guards - their first outing on campaign - from 26 November 1901 and was promoted Colour-Sergeant on 4 March 1902. He had the honour to lead them in thier 'baptism of fire' with the Section of the Guards Mounted Infantry:

'I got the Irish Guards into extended order and took up positions under whatever cover we could find. We were reinforced by the Coldstream, and Scots Guards Sections but could not force our way. The Boers were now closing in on the flanks and fighting became general. This continued until about 3pm when Colonel Crabbe ordered the Guards M.I. to charge the kopjes. We were the only troops who had steel, our bayonets. Our horses were sent up and we formed up, fixed bayonets, and rode out in single file, after the Artillery had sent several shells to the Boer positions. Lieut Brice in front, I after him, and the Irish, Coldstream & Scots Sections all following in single file riding parallel to the kopje and then Lieut Brice gave the signal "left turn" and all the M.I. went up the side of the kopje as far as the horses could take us, dismounted and charged to the top of the hill. The Boers did not wait for us, they had retired and were riding away as hard as their horses could take them. The Boers made very bad shooting, I had only one horse (O'Haras) wounded and no men.

Although the firing was heavy we held the position until the whole Column got through. I should have mentioned that a number of Brabants Horse joined in the Charge, although not detailed to so. The Grenadier Section missed the charge being engaged on the flank. The Boers kept up a continuous sniping fire. Twomey volunteered to collect our water bottles and go to the rear of the Column to fill them. On his return he was made a permanent target by the Boers. He sat on a rock and had a drink, the bullets spattering around him, he then distributed the bottles to their owners who were parched with thirst...

The following day was devoted to re-fitting and preparing for an attack on the Boers who had several Commandos in the vicinity. We took up defensive positions. On my section of the hills which we occupied, some signallers with a heliograph were with us. Towards evening the helio got in touch with a helio of Lunis Column. This was reported to Headquarters and messages passed between Colonel Luni and Captain Crabbe. Next day the fighting continued and on 5th February the Column moved out at 6am to attack the Boers who had the previous night attacked the Convoy, killed over 40 men and captured and burned that part which they did not require. The Guards Mounted Infantry were detailed as the Rear Guard. All the other troops, Lancers, Imperial Yeomanry, Brabants Horses and the guns passed us, we following as the Rear Guard. The Boers were shortly contacted. The Guns opened out and the Cavalry moved into section. The Boers were in considerable force much more than was expected. The Guards M.I. took up position on two kopjes and watched the fighting in the distance. After several hours, we saw the guns retiring which was a bad sign, then the Cavalry retired through our lines, and gradually the other mounted troops, so we were converted from a Rear Guard advancing, to a Rear Guard retiring. The Grenadiers and Irish were on one Kopje the Coldstreams and Scots on another one some distance away. Lieut Seymour and Lieut Brice were the officers in command of the Grenadiers and Irish Sections. We kept the Boers off for some time, and our men did some good shooting. The Boers outnumbered us by at least 10 to 1, and kept galloping towards our kopje. We were ordered to retire, by then the Boers were spread out between the Kopjes and making towards us. The Sergt Major said take any horse. I countered this and said Irish Guards "take your own horses" which they did.

The Irish were the last to leave and brought up the rear in Extended Order. The next Kopjes were some distance away, where we would again take up position. By now the Boers were closing in on both flanks. I shouted to the men to "Fix Bayonets". At the same time fixing my own, some of the men succeeded in drawing their bayonets but could not fix them on horseback at the canter. The Irish and Grenadiers turned left and rode straight amongst the Boers, who gave us the surprise of our lives, they were almost all armed with Mauser Pistols and started shooting and our men falling. I made for apparently a Commander who opened fire as we rode towards one another, I missed him, and he missed me. Although he put a bullet through my jacket and one in my great coat on my saddle. I turned my horse, but we were surrounded on every side and had not a ghost of a chance. This apparently settled the Boers for they were then halted and their Commandants issued fresh orders. We were now up to the Kopjes which we would have occupied. Grenadier Guards had four killed, one wounded and three prisoners. All those killed and wounded were shot by Mauser Pistols. When the Boers moved away I took the men and collected the dead. Many Boers kept coming to us. I enquired from an apparent officer, whether they had any shovels with which to make a grave, but they had none. So with our Bayonets we dug a grave for the dead and laid them side by side where they fought, and gave up their lives in defence of their country, at Outspanfontein on 5th February 1902, the first Irish Guards to fall in action. The grave was filled in and I said "Prayers for the Dead". "May they all Rest in Peace".

Byrne was shot through the liver, I bandaged the wound and made him as comfortable as it was possible, for the heat was intense.

He closes the campaign:

'I must pay a tribute to the men of the Irish Guards Section. Our strength was 37. They were almost all young Irishmen in their early twenties, some in fact had not reached 20 years of age. Keen, smart, intelligent, trustworthy, ambitious, they wanted to outshine everyone else, and as brave a lot of men as one would wish to serve with. There was a real brotherly feeling amongst them. They were first in everything appertaining to Mounted Duties. Scouting, every one a practised scout. Reliable in every way, and proud of the fact that they were the first Irish Guards on active service, this they were very proud of. All splendid men...

He would become the first Irish Guardsman to win a gallantry award with his award of the D.C.M.:

'On promotion to Cr Sergt I had been posted to No 8 Company commanded by Captain The Earl of Kerry D.S.O.

I went on leave as quickly as possible and joined my wife in Athlone, and two children, a girl having been born in March whilst I was serving in South Africa. I had now a family of two, a boy and a girl and I was very pleased to be re-united with them once again, so also was my wife who had a very anxious time during my absence.

Whilst on leave I received instructions to proceed to the Hythe School of Musketry and join the Musketry Course of South African Sergeants and Colour Sergeants then being formed specially for those who had served during the war.

On the day I received instructions to proceed to the School of Musketry Hythe, my name appeared in the London Gazette. Awarded the "Distinguished Conduct Medal". This was indeed a very pleasant surprise. None of the Officers had told me that I had been recommended. The news appeared in all the Irish papers as a result I had many congratulations. My wife and parents were delighted, my father particularly, he having served 30 years in the Royal Irish Constabulary, a Semi Military Body, and his brother served in the Crimea, Indian Mutiny and Maori Campaigns. My wife's relatives, more particularly her father, were indeed very pleased...

Whilst on leave I received a very good silver watch from Captain Lord Herbert Scott inscribed "Color Sergeant Hudson from Captain Lord Herb Scott, Irish Guard M.I. South Africa 1901-02". The watch has been in use all these years and is still going well. About the same time I had a silver mounted multiple knife and lanyard from Captain Trotter who commanded the 1st Company Guards M.I. suitably inscribed. This knife I kept and gave it to one of my sons who was going farming to Australia in 1925, it would be most useful to him.'

Hudson re-engaged at Aldershot on 26 August 1904 to complete 21 years service and became Drill Sergeant on 22 December 1904. He was appointed as a Colour Sergeant to the Connaught Rangers on 11 November 1906 and promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant on 18 May 1907. Hudson was discharged to Pension on 31 July 1912 at Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

With the outbreak of the Great War, Hudson saw news:

'It came to my knowledge that The Earl of Kerry, my old Company Officer in the Irish Guards, had been promoted and given command of the 2nd Bn Irish Guards then in course of formation. I sat down and wrote to him offering my services with his new Battalion. Two days later I got a telegram from the Earl of Kerry to report at once to Regimental Headquarters, Buckingham Gate, London. I lost no time in complying.

Arrived at Regimental Headquarters two days later and reported. Attestation papers were immediately made out and I was sent to Recruiting Head Quarters where hundreds were already assembled awaiting Medical Examination and attesting.'

He re-enlisted (No. 3010) as a Private on 8 September 1914 and was promoted to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant on the same day. He continues:

'Passed the Medical Exam. I was attested and returned to the Regimental Orderly Room at Buckingham Gate. On arrival there was a telegram for me. It was from Lord Herbert Scott my Section Commander in the 1st Coy Guards Mounted Infantry South Africa inviting me to join his Battalion as a Color Sergeant. He was a Lieut Colonel and had been given command of a London Territorial Battalion. I respectfully declined informing him I was joining the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards next day at Warley. I joined the 2nd Bn Irish Guards at Warley on 7th September 1914. I saw The Earl of Kerry, who commanded the Bn on my arrival. He gave me a very hearty greeting and informed me I would be appointed Drill Sergeant. The Battalion was over strength and consisted of the overflow from the 1st Bn when they went to France a month before. In addition men from the Reserve were joining daily. The Adjutant was a Captain of the Scots Guards. The Regimental Sergt Major was a Pensioner Drill Sergeant of the Grenadier Guards whose job in retirement was a Marshal Man at Buckingham Palace. The Senior Drill Sergeant was also a Grenadier, the Junior Drill Sergt Tinakler, Irish Guards from pension was the Regtl Qr Mr Sergt. I knew quite a lot of the man and they soon spotted "The Boy in Blue".

A heavy draft was prepared in quick time September 1914, mostly composed of reservists. They looked a very useful lot of men. They paraded in the afternoon in full war kit to proceed to the Railway Station. A number of them had returned from Canada amongst them Guardsman O'Leary who afterwards was awarded the Victoria Cross, and granted a Commission. The excitement was intense. Almost every soldier in Barracks was anxious to go out to the front. All the Regimental Police were called on duty and at the Railway Station were kept busy. When all were aboard a search was made of each compartment to eject men who were not for overseas and send them back to barracks. We Drill Sergeants were superintending. The Commanding Officer, Adjutant and almost all the officers were there to give officers and men an Irish send off, which they did, the men of the draft responding heartily, nothing but ringing cheers. When the roll in barracks was called at tattoo, it was discovered there were 12 absentees. They had gone with the draft in spite of all the precautions. They remained as absentees until it was confirmed by the 1st Bn that they had arrived with the reinforcements and were absorbed on the strength of the Battalion. A dozen got away, but several dozen were prevented from going...

An order was now published to the effect that Pensioners re-joining for the duration of the war would be paid at the rate of the rank held by them when discharged to pension. My rank on discharge was Regtl Quartermaster Sergeant but my present rank carried a Colour Sergeant Pay and allowances only so I made application for payment in the rank I held when discharged to pension. The Commanding Officer forwarded the application to General Headquarters, London. The General Officer Commanding refused to grant the increase. I then told the Commanding Officer that I wished to transfer to a Kitchener Regiment where I would receive correct payment. My application for transfer was submitted. About this time a number of re-enlisted pensioner Warrant and Non Commissioned Officers were receiving their commissions.

It was my ambition to become an Officer and I could see this was the only way open to me to reach my objective. Yet after I had received my commission 12 months later the Earl of Kerry wrote congratulating me and saying that had I remained with his Battn I would have been granted a commission.

At Orderly Room on 17th October 1914 I was informed my transfer was granted. I was to report to the 5th Bn. Connaught Rangers at Royal Barracks, Dublin as Regimental Sergt Major.

The Commanding Officer was sorry I was leaving so also were the young officers. The Warrant Officers and Staff Sergts made me a presentation of a gold wristlet watch, and the Sergeants presented me with a Silver Mounted Drill Sergeant's cane suitable inscribed. I have this cane yet and it helps me along sometimes when I require it.

I had a nice send off from all the members of the Sergeants' Mess. Really I was sorry leaving but I wanted to get on now that opportunity offered.'

He served overseas as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 21 July 1915 and earned a rare dated Second Award Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his action at the Sari Bair Peninsula in Gallipoli for his work on 10-11 August 1915. He recalls his time on Gallipoli:

'Anzac Cove was reached at 10pm and the transport anchored. Rifle fire all around was incessant the hills seemed to be alive with flashes and bombing, some of the bullets reached the vessel. At 3am 6th August the work of disembarking begun before daylight. Men reached the pier in lighters, disembarked their men and returned. Before the Battalion had reached Shrapnel Gully the Turks had discovered the transports and opened up with Shrapnel which they kept up incessantly. The Battalion took over partly made trenches that had been left by the Australians, they did not afford much cover. Machine gun and rifle fire by the Turks and Australians was incessant.

Shrapnel continued all day. One of the Welsh Regt was struck running across the gully. He fell, I with another Ranger ran out and carried him to the first aid medical post where Doctor O'Sullivan was already very busy. The wounded man, a lad of about 19 years, was struck by a piece of shell which almost severed his hight hand above the wrist. Whilst the Doctor was amputating his hand his only complaint was "I would not care if I had a shot at them, but I had not got one yet". The Battn had one killed and several wounded on this day. Regtl. Qr Mr Sergt Galbraith was one of the wounded.

During the afternoon whilst fighting was going on, Shrapnel and bullets which sent over the Australian lines came thick and heavy through the "Gully". The dugouts were useless and the men stuck it fine for their baptism of fire. At night the fire intensified and unending. Bullybeef and biscuits with a drop of water the only food available and it was a Godsend. Oh! but the flies. Myriads of them and what whoppers. You had to keep one hand moving brushing them away whilst you put a bit in your mouth with the other one, ten to one, you had half a dozen flies on the morsel.

The Battalion was attached to the Australian Division and was kept constantly on the move mostly night marches. The Royal Irish Rifles and Leinster Regt were also with the Division.

Shell and rifle fire was continuous. Snipers were very lively and were undoubtedly selected for their marksmanship. The Turks held all the commanding positions and had therefore selection of ground for snipers. The casualties from the firing line were heavy a continuous stream of dead and wounded. Many shells fell amongst our men but few casualties. Orders were issued to prepare to reinforce the front line. "C" Company had reinforced the Australians during the fighting Lieut Johnson had been brought to notice for bandaging two wounded men under fire and for having distinguished himself with great gallantry in holding an advanced trench. Turkish bombs thrown over, he returned to them before they exploded. Lieut Johnson, I must say, played a very distinguished part in all the fighting and kept this up daily until he was wounded taking the Wells on 21st August when he disposed of 8 turks on his own with bayonet and revolver. He deserved more than the Military Cross which he was awarded.

This brings us up to the 10th August at 7am the Battn was ordered to prepare to move. We did carrying sandbags. Entering a sap on the way to front line the stream of wounded coming down was so great that progress was slow. The day was very hot and water was as usual very scarce. The Turks had pushed in part of the line. Fighting continued all day, in addition machine gun snipers were very active and in well concealed positions and inflicting heavy casualties. The men behaved magnificently under very trying circumstances. Several Officers and men were wounded. Brigadier Gen. Cooper was severely wounded. One of the snipers, brought in as a prisoner, by Sergeant Nealan, had the General's pocket book, watch, badges of rank, correspondence, revolver in his possession. The Royal Irish Rifles had a very bad cutting up endeavouring to take the Farm. Their dead lay out between the lines for days. The Battn dug in on a hill each side the dry water course and secured the position. This enabled the wounded to be removed, the stretcher bearers working day and night.

During the Turkish attack on the Australian and New Zealand trenches. Major Wallingford worked several machine guns in succession inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy. Whilst firing one gun, the gunners of the other guns would have them ready again and so in this way stopped the Turkish Attack. Major Wallingford was Sergeant Major of the School of Musketry, Hythe, and the best shot in the British Army for years. When he retired on pension, he emigrated to Australia and joined the Australian forces at the outbreak of war, coming with them, and taking part in the Anzac Landing. The Leinsters assisted in repelling this attack.

Lieut O'Sullivan R.A.M.C did a fine job of work, attending to the wounded day and night until all were cleared. Likewise the Stretcher Bearers worked the same, never appearing to tire. I gave the Doctor assistance on a couple occasions. He had no trained R.A.M.C Orderlies to help with the bandaging of the wounded. In addition to our own wounded casualties from many Battalions of the 13th Division kept arriving.

Patrolling between the lines with 6 men, we came across a wounded Rifleman of the Royal Irish Rifles. His thigh bone was broken by a bullet two days before. His method of moving was by pushing backwards with both hands. I had an improvised stretched with rifles, bayonets, and jackets with sleeves turned inside out, by this means we brought him back. He told us many Turks had passed him, they refused him water, or to assist him in any way.

From now on fighting was continuous, no matter where you were you were not free from machine gun and rifle snipers and casualties were increasing. The enemy appeared to hold every spot with a commanding position and kept increasing our casualties.

The Battn. was taken out of the line and brought back to an Olive Grove for a rest. There was a large well in the grove but it was exposed to Shrapnel and Machine Gun Fire. I was determined by hook or by crook to reach that water. I secured as many shovels as possible and started digging a trench towards the well. Three feet wide and seven feet deep. I had relays of men working for nearly two days under heavy fire of all sorts. They sure worked with a will for a glorious drink of water. When we reached the well the water was lower than our level, so I had steps dug down, and I had the first drink of beautiful cool spring water. It was a very large well. Word was passed to the Battn to send along all the Camp Kettles and anything that would hold water. At this time there was an order that anyone using water for washing purposes would be punished. I might mention here everyman had a whisker, and had not washed for a week, there was no means of doing so. All resembled n-----s. Had any of our relatives seen us as we were they would not recognise us. There was now a bountiful supply of water, so I indulged in a wash under some olive trees, I wasn't just finishing off and pouring water over my head when the branches of the tree overhanging were ripped by machine gun fire. I at once made a dash for the dugout. Lieut Blake who was also indulging in a wash a little distance from me shouted "where are you going Sergeant Major?" Immediately the tree under which he was sheltering had a similar burst of fire, and he too made for his dugout.

And so it was all day long, no respite. Father O'Connor had not joined the Battn to date. Father Leighton of the 13th Division said Mass and gave communion to the men. On completion of the Mass and as the men were moving away, a sniper fired and shot one of the men through the head, he had scarcely shown himself.

Lieut Johnson who controlled our scouts and snipers, had his men alerted and noted the points from which the Turk snipers operated. They usually relaxed from 2pm to about 4pm daily, evidently having a sleep. Lieut Johnson and his men moved out then, creeping through the scrub and back in quest of the snipers. The only evidence of a successful hunt would be a Turkish rifle brought back by the scouts.

When moving to the Aghyl Dere position the Battalion arrived at a spot where a Turk Machine gunner was operating. A portion of the trench or ground covering had been blown in and several casualties had already occurred. The C.O halted the Battalion. I suggested that the men convenient fill their sandbags and pass them along. I crept out and built up the opening with sandbags and made all safe for the Battn to pass along without any casualties. The Battalions of the 13th Division got very badly cut up. Their casualties were enormous. The Warwicks Regt had very few left. The same applied to many other Regiments. An unending stream of wounded.

Those killed could not be buried, consequently their bodies remained in the open and due to the excessive heat, decomposition set in and the wind blowing from that direction made the atmosphere awful.

The Battalion was again in the line. They were now working on a sap which they completed very satisfactorily. I often during the course of the night went out between the lines. One night on one of these missions I heard voices approaching. I recognised them as English. When close to me I ordered "Halt who are you?" Immediately there were half a dozen bayonets around me. The one in charge asked "who I was". I replied "Regtl Sergt Major 5th Connaught Rangers". I now enquired who they were.

The Sergt in charge said they belonged to the 4th --- Regt, were out on patrol, and got lost. Could I direct them to their lines". I told him "they were right in front of the Rangers' front line, and liable to get fired on".

I directed him to wait until I warned the men in the trenches not to fire. I went to that part of the trench from which I left, and told the men who was coming along. I returned and brought the patrol to the trenches and directed them on the way to their lines. The patrol had been lost for a couple hours and had no idea where they were.

They were not so far from the Turkish lines. A new Brigade Commander was appointed to succeed Bgdr Genl Cooper wounded. Pending his arrival Col Jourdian commanded the Brigade and Major Money the Battalion.

The heat was intense, and the scarcity of water was cheerfully borne by the men. At 3pm on 20th August the Battn was relieved from the trenches. Later that night they commenced a night March to take up positions preparing for attack on the following day. On arrival the men rested and quantities of Arms, Ammunition and bombs, sandbags and entrenching tools.

I lay down in a dugout which Lieut Cartmel Robinson shared with me and had a well earned couple hours' sleep until dawn. I surveyed the stores delivered during the night, and found three boxes of bombs. This was our first issue of bombs, so I investigated. The pattern I had never seen. Larger than a cricket ball and pear-shaped. A fuse of about four inches attached to each bomb. The boxes contained 12 bombs each. There were 12 slips of sandpaper with
elastic attached for encircling the wrist, along which the sandpaper lay. On the top, or end of fuse which was covered with a dressing of phosphorus for ignition purposes. So you had a bomb with fuse, strip of sandpaper, the tip of fuse covered same as top of a match. You put the sandpaper on left wrist. Fork bomb in right hand ignited the fuse by rubbing on the sandpaper.

Allowed the fuse to burn a second or two before throwing. I assembled the Battn Bombers, Sergeant Carty and 12 men. Up to this we had no bombs in the Bn. I instructed them on the method of preparation and lobbing and after a short time all had assimilated their instruction and about 5pm that afternoon I had the satisfaction of seeing them attacking the Turk trenches and rendering a good account of themselves. I was wounded that afternoon, but I saw Sergt Carty in the 1st Bn. a couple years afterwards in Mesopotamia...Very heavy fire was concentrated on the Turkish positions by the land batteries and the Men of War at Anzac Cove. The ground vibrated, how anything could live in the bombarded area was beyond comprehension. The bombardment continued until "Zero hour" 4pm when the first platoon of "C" Company under Capt Bond advanced and opened out to four paces apart, the other platoons following at short intervals. They were met by a withering fire from the enemy trenches. The heavier the fire the greater the Irishmen cheered. As the third platoon was passing Battalion Headquarters where the C.O. Adjutant and Doctor and I were, I could not resist joining in the charge, although my place was with the C.O. The first three platoons cleared the trenches, in fact the Turks were running as swiftly as they could to get away from the bayonets. A Corporal was chasing a big Turk and could not catch him, so he dropped on his knee and fire bringing the Turk down. He then said "I couldn't let him escape". "C" and "D" companies cleared the first two lines of enemy trenches, captured the wells and up the slope to Kaiajik Aghala.

The objective was gained, the Wells and their defences were in the hands of the Battalion and the Rangers were pushing on to assist General Russell's attack. It was here I was wounded in the leg. I made my way back to Battn Hd Qrs using my rifle and bayonet as a crutch. On my way back I had a few shots at isolated Turks retreating. As soon as I reached Battn Hd Qrs. Col Jourdain said "I had no business going out with the attack. My place was Battn Hd. Qrs". I replied "I could not resist going out".

Dr O'Sullivan bandaged my wound and sent me to base by stretcher. I was really sorry at leaving for I was wholehearted in the operations taking place. On the way to the base the stretcher bearers passed the Quartermasters' dugout. The R.Q.M.S. was there and said "See what lovely Hospital ship you are going on board".

It certainly did look outstanding all lit up. Q.M.S. Galbraith gave the stretcher bearers a lot of rum each and I also had one. On arrival at the beach I took my place with the wounded. Three or four of our officers were already in the Officers section. One said "You are now an officer and should join us". I did not do so as my recommendation only had gone forward. Eventually I was placed on board the Hospital ship and attended to at once. I had a nice bottle of Guinness which I enjoyed. Later I was transferred to a transport the "Arcadian" one of eight transports converted into Hospital ships. The number of wounded was so great that all Hospital accommodation in the Islands and Egypt was exhausted. This necessitated the conversion of the Transports.

So with an escort of Torpedo Boat Destroyers the eight vessels set for England. I shall never forget that voyage. It was dreadful, the conditions under which the men existed. The wounded were laid out in rows of tens and twenties on the deck of the Dining Saloon. The bedding consisted of a mattress filled with straw, a straw pillow, sheet and one blanket. There was no medical staff apart from a doctor who came around once a day, and a night nurse to attend to over 200 wounded on this deck.

She was very good but unable to cope with the large number on the deck all bed cases. Those who could struggled to the lavatories. The flushing arrangements were inadequate as a result the lavatories overflowed and ran out into the passage. There was no one to complain to.

Some of the wounded who died remained for one or two days before their removal. There were a large number of Australians and New Zealanders. The operating theatre was in constant session all the way home. The food was appalling. Personally I wanted very little for I had developed Dysentery and Malaria on the way.'

Hudson was discharged to commission on 29 November 1915 and was finally discharged on 13 October 1919 at 237 BOC HQ Russia.

He seems to have had issues with regards to his War office pension and had correspondence first in 1920 and again in 1937, 1938, 1942 and 1943. Hudson died in January 1953 at Blackpool, Lancashire.

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