Charles Hudson (VC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Hudson
|
|
|---|---|
Charles Hudson VC, pictured here sometime in 1918.
|
|
| Born | 29 May 1892 Derby, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 4 April 1959 (aged 66) St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, England |
| Buried |
St Mary's Churchyard, Denbury, Devon, England
|
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1946 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | 10029 |
| Unit | Sherwood Foresters King's Own Scottish Borderers |
| Commands held | 182nd Infantry Brigade (1941–43) 159th Infantry Brigade (1941) 46th Infantry Division (1940–41) 2nd Infantry Brigade (1938–40) 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (1918) 11th (Service) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (1918) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Russian Civil War Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches (5) Croix de Guerre (France) Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy) |
Charles Edward Hudson (born May 29, 1892 – died April 4, 1959) was a brave officer in the British Army. He was from England. He received the Victoria Cross (VC). This is the highest award for bravery given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. He also earned many other important awards for his service.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Charles Edward Hudson was born in Derby, England, on May 29, 1892. His father was also a soldier in the Sherwood Foresters regiment. Charles went to Sherborne School from 1905 to 1910. He later wrote that he used to be afraid of physical pain. He felt like a "coward on the football field." But over time, he learned to overcome these fears.
After school, Charles went to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is a famous place where army officers are trained. He became good friends with Harold Alexander, who would also become a famous general. Charles had to leave Sandhurst early because his father passed away.
From 1912 to 1914, he worked as a tea planter in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He also helped with the first rubber planting there. During this time, he served part-time in the Ceylon Mounted Rifles.
First World War Hero
When the First World War started in August 1914, Charles returned to England. He joined his father's regiment, the Sherwood Foresters. He quickly moved up in rank. By 1918, he was a temporary lieutenant-colonel at just 25 years old.
He served with the 11th Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. This unit was made up of volunteers from coal mining areas. They fought in France, Belgium, and Italy. Charles showed great courage during the war.
He received many awards for his bravery:
- In 1916, he earned the Military Cross (MC).
- In 1917, he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a Bar (meaning he got it a second time).
- In 1918, he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).
He was also mentioned in official reports five times for his good work. He received the Croix de Guerre from France and the Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor.
Winning the Victoria Cross
Charles Hudson earned the Victoria Cross on June 15, 1918. This happened near Asiago, Italy, during the Second Battle of the Piave River. He was a 26-year-old temporary lieutenant-colonel. He was in charge of the 11th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
His award citation described his amazing bravery:
Capt. (T./Lt.-Col.) Charles Edward Hudson, D.S.O., M.C., Notts. & Derby. R.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his battalion was holding the right front sector during an attack on the British front.
The shelling had been very heavy on the right, the trench destroyed, and considerable casualties had occurred, and all the officers on the spot were killed or wounded. This enabled the enemy to penetrate our front line.
The enemy pushed their advance as far as the support line which was the key to our right flank. The situation demanded immediate action. Lt.-Col. Hudson, recognising its gravity, at once collected various headquarter details, such as orderlies, servants, runners, etc., and, together with some Allies, personally led them up the hill.
Driving the enemy dawn the hill towards our front line, he again led a party of about five up the trench, where there were about 200 enemy, in order to attack them from the flank. He then with two men got out of the trench and rushed the position, shouting to the enemy to surrender, some of whom did. He was then severely wounded by a bomb which exploded on his foot. Although in great pain, he gave directions for the counter-attack to be continued, and this was done successfully, about 100 prisoners and six machine-guns being taken.
Without doubt the high courage and determination displayed by Lt.-Col. Hudson saved a serious situation, and had it not been for his quick determination in organising the counter-attack a large number of the enemy would have dribbled through, and counter-attack on a larger scale would have been necessary to restore the situation.
In simpler words, his unit was under heavy attack. Many officers were killed or hurt. The enemy broke through their lines. Lieutenant-Colonel Hudson quickly gathered a small group of soldiers. He personally led them to push the enemy back. He then bravely rushed towards about 200 enemy soldiers with only two other men. He shouted for them to surrender, and some did. He was badly wounded by a bomb. Even in pain, he made sure the counter-attack continued. His actions saved the day, and his unit captured many enemy soldiers and machine guns.
Between the World Wars
After the First World War, Charles Hudson volunteered for another mission. He served in Russia during the Russian Civil War. He was a staff officer in the North Russia Intervention.
In 1920, he married Gladys Lee. They had two sons, John and Miles. Charles decided to stay in the army, even though the pay was not much. He wanted to continue serving his country.
He attended the Staff College, Camberley from 1926 to 1927. This college trains officers for higher leadership roles. He later became a Chief Instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. In 1928, he transferred to the King's Own Scottish Borderers regiment. He was promoted to brevet lieutenant-colonel in 1932. In 1938, he became a temporary brigadier. He took command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade. His old friend, Harold Alexander, was his commanding officer.
Second World War Service
When the Second World War began in September 1939, Brigadier Hudson led his brigade to France. They were part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). In May 1940, the German Army invaded France. Hudson's brigade had to retreat to Dunkirk. They were then evacuated to England.
For his service in France, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). Back in England, his brigade helped defend the country from a possible German invasion.
In December 1940, Hudson was promoted to acting major-general. He took command of the 46th Infantry Division. This division had suffered heavy losses in France. It needed to reorganize and train. Hudson worked to get the division ready. However, he had a disagreement with his senior officer. This led to him losing his command in May 1941. He was demoted back to the rank of colonel. This was a very difficult time for him.
After this, he commanded the 159th Infantry Brigade for a short time. Then he commanded the 182nd Brigade. This brigade was part of the 61st Infantry Division. They helped train new soldiers. In 1944, he became an aide-de-camp to King George VI. He retired from the army in 1946.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring, Charles Hudson was awarded the Order of St John of Jerusalem (Commander). He passed away on April 4, 1959, at the age of 66. He was on holiday in the Scilly Isles. He is buried at St Mary's Church in Denbury, England.
His medals are now on display at Nottingham Castle.
Writings
Charles Hudson wrote a long journal about his life. His son, Miles, later published it in 1992. He also wrote many poems, two radio plays, and short stories. He even published some chess problems in magazines.
