Charles Edward Hudson

Brigadier Charles Edward Hudson VC, CB, DSO and Bar, MC (1892–1959)

Charles Edward Hudson was born in Derby on 29 May 1892, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Edward Hudson of the Sherwood Foresters. Educated at Sherborne School, he entered the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, but his father’s death interrupted his military education. He subsequently travelled to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, where he worked as a tea planter and served part-time with the Ceylon Mounted Rifles. [1]

Returning to Britain after the outbreak of war in 1914, Hudson joined the Sherwood Foresters. His courage and leadership brought successive decorations: the Military Cross in 1916, followed by the Distinguished Service Order and a Bar in 1917. His MC recognized his leadership in capturing two enemy bombing posts; his DSO awards recognized his ability to reorganize troops under fire and maintain defensive positions against determined counter-attacks. [2]

On 15 June 1918, aged twenty-six, Hudson commanded the 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, near Asiago in northern Italy. Heavy bombardment had shattered part of the British front, allowing enemy troops to penetrate towards a vital support position. Gathering headquarters personnel and some Allied soldiers, he personally led a counter-attack. He advanced along a trench with a small party, then climbed out with two men and rushed the enemy position, demanding its surrender.

A bomb exploded against his foot, severely wounding him. Despite the pain, Hudson continued directing the counter-attack, which resulted in approximately 100 prisoners and six machine guns being captured. His Victoria Cross citation credited his courage and prompt action with saving a critical situation. The award was announced on 11 July 1918, and King George V presented it at Buckingham Palace on 18 September. This account summarizes the citation. [2]

Hudson subsequently served in the Allied intervention in North Russia. He married Gladys Elizabeth Lee, and they had two sons, John and Miles. Remaining in the Army between the wars, he became chief instructor at Sandhurst from 1933 to 1937. [1,3]

During the Second World War, Hudson commanded the 2nd Infantry Brigade in France, including the retreat towards Dunkirk in 1940. He received the Companion of the Order of the Bath and went on to command the 46th Infantry Division as an acting major-general from December 1940 to May 1941. Later appointments included command of the 159th and 182nd Infantry Brigades and the RAF Levies in Iraq. He retired in February 1946 with the honorary rank of brigadier. [1,3]

War brought personal loss as well as distinction. His elder son, Lieutenant John Hudson, was killed in Tunisia in April 1943. In retirement, Hudson settled in Devon and continued public service through St John Ambulance, serving as county commissioner from 1949 to 1954. He became a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John. He died while visiting St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly on 4 April 1959, aged sixty-six, and was buried at St Mary’s Church, Denbury, Devon. [1,2]

Sources

[1] Victoria Cross Online: Charles Edward Hudson [2] VictoriaCross.org.uk: Hudson’s medal group and award citations [3] Generals.dk: Charles Edward Hudson’s appointments and promotions