Reginald Stanley Judson

He stormed gun posts and forced a path out for his comrades.

Sergeant Reginald Stanley Judson earned three gallantry decorations during a remarkable period in July and August 1918. His Victoria Cross action came near Bapaume on 26 August, when he led a bombing party against a machine gun and then pressed forward alone. Confronting another group from a trench parapet, he demanded surrender. When fired on, he threw a grenade and attacked, capturing two more guns and allowing the advance to continue.

Born at Wharehine, Northland, on 29 September 1881, Judson trained as a mechanical engineer and worked as an Auckland boilermaker. He enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1915. Severe wounds received in September 1916 kept him away from the front until May 1918.

His attack at Hébuterne on 24-25 July brought the Distinguished Conduct Medal. A bayonet charge against a machine-gun post on 16 August earned the Military Medal. His VC followed ten days later. Commissioned in February 1919, he returned to New Zealand and continued serving with the permanent forces.

War injuries troubled him for years. After leaving regular service he worked at Mount Albert Grammar School and served on Auckland City Council. He returned for home service during the Second World War, reaching major before discharge in 1946. Afterwards he farmed at Doubtless Bay and served his community as a justice of the peace and coroner. He died in Auckland on 26 August 1972, aged ninety, and was buried at Waikumete Cemetery.

VICTORIA CROSS CITATION

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, in an attack on enemy positions, he led a small bombing party under heavy fire and captured an enemy machine-gun.

He then proceeded up a sap alone, bombing three machine-gun crews before him. Jumping out of the trench he ran ahead of the enemy. Then, standing on the parapet, he ordered the party, consisting of two officers and about ten men, to surrender. They instantly fired on him, but he threw a bomb and jumped down amongst them, killed two, put the rest to flight, and so captured two machine guns.

This prompt and gallant action not only saved many lives, but also enabled the advance to be continued unopposed.