Biography of Private Ernest Henry Rudkin (37867)
2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
Died 2nd December 1917

Soldier

  • Name: Ernest Henry Rudkin
  • Date of birth: 1891
  • Place of Birth: Morton, Lincolnshire, England
  • Date of Birth registration: June – September 1891
  • Place of Birth Registration: Bourne, Lincolnshire, England

Father

  • Name: Henry James Rudkin
  • DOB: 26th October 1870
  • Place of Birth: Stamford, Lincolnshire, England
  • Occupation: Horseman on farm

Mother

  • Name: Mary Ann Wrighton
  • DOB: 6th August 1869
  • Place Of Birth: Essendine, Rutland, England
  • Marriage:1890 Stamford District

Siblings: (Name), (DOB), (POB)

  • Ernest Henry Rudkin, 1891, Morton
  • Bertie Evlyn Rudkin, 1893, Morton
  • Arthur Frederick Rudkin, 1895, Morton
  • Edith Annie Rudkin, 1900, Witham On The Hill
  • Florence Mary Rudkin, 1902, Witham On The Hill
  • Albert Leslie Rudkin, 1904, Corby
  • Cedric William Rudkin, 1908, Swinstead
  • Olive Lilian Rudkin, 1912, Kirkby Underwood

Census

  • 1901: Ernest is living with his parents in William On The Hill, Lincolnshire
  • 1911: Ernest is living in Burton Coggles with Mason Family as a Servant. The census gives him an age of 19 and he is listed as a Waggoner on farm.

Relatives in services

Wife

  • Name: Sophia Osborne Hallam
  • Date of birth: 15th March 1890
  • Place of Birth:Easton, Northamptonshire, England

Marriage

  • Date of Marriage: 30th  June 1914St
  • Place of Marriage: Michael’s Stamford, Lincoln, England

Children, (Name), (DOB), (POB)

  • Jarvis Osborne Rudkin, 27th November 1914, Bourne, Lincolnshire, England

Wife’s parents

  • Father: Thomas Osborne
  • Mother: Mary Hallam/Lobley

Newspaper Mentions

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 5th January 1918
    Pte, E. RUDKIN, of Kirkby Underwood.
    Mr. and Mrs., Rudkin, of Kirkhy Underwood, have again suffered bereavement in the death of their eldest son at the front.  The following letter has been received from his officer:- “Dear Mrs. Rudkin,- It is with very great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son No. 37867, Pte Ernest Rudkin.  He was killed by shell-fire on December 2nd, and died instantly without pain. His body was buried, but I am sorry that I am not able to give you particulers of the exact place.  It will be some consolation to you to know that your son died in action gallantly doing his duty. With my deepest sympathy.  Yours truly, W. I  DURNFORD, 2nd Lieut., Royal Berkshire Regt.”  Before joining the Army, Pte. Rudkin was working on munitions.  It is only fifteen months since Mr. and Mrs. Rudkin lost a younger son, Pte Bert Rudkin another son, is at the front.  Much sympathy is felt for them in their loss.

 

  • War Office Weekly Casualty List January 15th 1918
    KILLED
    ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT
    Rudkin 37867 E. H. (Kirkby Underwood)

 

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 30th November 1918
    In fond memory of a loving son and brother, Pte. Enrest H. Rudkin, of Kirkby Underwood, killed by shell, in Belgium, Dec. 2nd, 1917.
    Somewhere out yonder he is lying,
    But where we cannot tell;
    But God above He knows the place –
    He was with him when he fell.
    Sadly missed by his sorrowing
    FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHERS, ans SISTERS.

 

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 30th October 1920
    RUDKIN – In loving memory of our two brothers, Bertie Rudkin, who died of wounds, September 1916; and Ernest H. Rudkin, who was killed in action, December, 1917.
    Tis sweet to think we’ll meet again,
    When partings are no more;
    That our boys we loved so well
    Have only gone before.
    Fred and Flo (Corby)

 

  • Grantham Journal Saturday 3rd December 1921
    RUDKIN – In loving memory of our two boys, Bertie Rudkin, died of wounds, in France, September 27th, 1916; also of Ernest Henry, killed by a shell, in Belgium, Dec. 2nd 1917.
    Constant Sorrow; everlasting love
    From Father, Mother, Brothers & Sisters
    (Kirkby Underwood, Bourne)

Military Records

Attestation Papers

  • None found

Soldier’s Died In The Great War

  • These records show that Private Ernest Henry Rudkin, 37867, 2nd Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wale’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment) was killed in action on 2nd December 1917 in the Western European Theatre in France and Flanders.

Pension Records

  • Available

Effects Left To

  • Widow Sophia

Medals

  • The British Medal
  • The Victory Medal

Memorials

  • UK:
  • Kirkby Underwood, plaque in St Mary and All Saints Church
  • Kirkby Underwood, Names on the stained glass window in St Mary and All Saints Church

 

  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
  • In Memory of Private Ernest Henry Rudkin, 37867, 2nd battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment who died on 2 December 1917
  • Remembered with Honour, Tyne Cot Memorial
  • Panel Ref: Panel 105 to 106 and 162

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

© Picture taken by South Lincolnshire War Memorials

Military Service Timeline:

Sources

  • WW1 Soldier’s Records (www.ancestry.co.uk)
  • British Newspaper Archive.
  • Fold 3
  • Find My Past
  • Genealogist
  • Forces War Records
  • British Army Service Numbers
  • War Gratuity Calculator
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  • National Archives – Battalion War Diaries
  • General Registry Office