23256 Rifleman Gerard Noel Rudkin, 3/8/1884-12/10/1917.
The date of Gerard's death is one which looms large in the history of his nation. It was on that day the the NZ Rifle Brigade, with the Regiments from Auckland, Canterbury and Otago, advanced through knee-deep mud in heavy rain to attack German fortifications of concrete and barbed wire, with almost no artillery preparation or support. They achieved nothing. Many died.
Roll of Honour
GERARD NOEL RUDKIN.
Gerard Noel Rudkin, a native of Kumara, and son of the late Mr. Rudkin, formerly Town Clerk of Kumara was among the West Coasters called upon to make the supreme, sacrifice on the battlefields of France on October 12th last. The deceased was 34 years of age, and enlisted from Kumara, where he was well and favorably known. He leaves several brothers and sisters, for whom sincere sympathy will be felt. -Greymouth Evening Star, 5/11/1917.
56032 Rifleman Ernest Edward Rudkin, 12/3/1890-9/12/1917.
Advice has been received that Private Ernest Rudkin has been killed in action in France. The deceased was a member of the well known Rudkin family of Kumara. He left with the 28th Reinforcement, so that he could not have been long at the front. Only a short time ago his brother Gerrard was killed in action and another brother Alfred was wounded, while a younger brother, Edgar, formerly of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitika, is at present in Hokitika on final leave. The sympathy of many friends will be extended to the relatives. -Hokitika Guardian, 28/12/1917.
70651 Rifleman Edgar Ralph Rudkin, 11/9/1896-13/9/1918.
PRIVATE E. RUDKIN.
Word was received in town that Private Edgar Rudkin, son of the late Mr and Mrs Rudkin, of this town, had been dangerously wounded on the Western Front. Prior to going into camp Private Rudkin was in the .employ of the Bank of New Zealand. This is the second son of the Rudkin family to be severely wounded, not to mention two brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice. -Grey River Argus, 21/9/1918.
On Edgar Rudkin's Army record there is a concise note which indicates a world of pain for his last hours: "left leg, rt leg, compound fracture." It took him four days to die, in a casualty clearing station. It is possible that he was kept at the station so that cases with a better chance of survival could be sent to hospital.
News has been received that Private Edgar Rudkin, son of the late Mr G. R. Rudkin, formerly Town Clerk of Kumara, has died of his wounds received in France. Deceased, who was on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitika, prior to joining up with the Forces, was a quiet and unassuming young man, who won many friends while in this district. -Hokitika Guardian, 26/9/1918.
31893 Sergeant Alfred Robert Rudkin MM, 9/10/1894-21/9/1968.
He was wounded in September 1917 - with a gunshot wound to the face and, the following April, again wounded in the face and also in the legs.
HOROWHENUA NOTES
(From Our Own Correspondent.) OTAKI; Tuesday.
Private A. R. Rudkin, writing from Belgium, states that within two months he had the misfortune to have two brothers, both killed at the front, one being killed almost immediately he went into the firing line. The same day as his brother was killed, “Alf” had a narrow escape himself, a “pineapple’' landing right behind the bivvy where he was sitting. -NZ Times, 20/2/1918.
Kumara Notes (excerpt)
Mr Alfred Rudkin, an erstwhile Kumara boy who has been twice wounded at the front has been presented with the Distinguished Service Medal. -Grey River Argus, 25/5/1918.
In April of 1918, Alfred Rudkin was awarded the Military Medal for "gallantry in the field."
SERGEANT A. RUDKIN.
Sergeant Alfred Rudkin, who was badly wounded at the front a short time ago, still appears on the “dangerously ill” list, although latest reports state that he is on the improve. Sergeant Rudkin, besides being badly wounded in both legs and arms, received a severe wound in the face. His many friends will wish for his speedy return to health. Greymouth Evening Star, 8/6/1918.
Sergt. A. R. Rudkin (M.M.), writing to a friend in Otaki, states he is looking forward to a. trip home, which is almost certain on account of his severe injuries. His right, arm at the time of writing was out of action, while his facial wounds was severe. -Manawatu Standard, 17/6/1918.
Sergt. A. R. Rudkin (M.M.) has been spending his furlough in Edinburgh, and it is now probable that he will reach New Zealand at no distant date, the result of some very severe wounds. -Manawatu Standard, 17/8/1918.
News has been received that Sergeant A. R. Rudkin (M.M.) is to be invalided home. He received very severe injuries some months ago. -NZ Times, 17/8/1918.
Mr. G. F. Rudkin, of the Defence Department, has been advised of the death from wounds in France of his brother, Private E. R. Rudkin. This is the fourth brother to go on active service and the third to give his life for his country. Private Rudkin left with the 35th Reinforcements, and on 11th September received the wounds which caused his death two days later. He was 22 years old, and prior to his enlistment was on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitika. The other brothers were: Private G. N. Rudkin, killed at Passchendaele in October, 1917; Private E. N. Rudkin, killed in December, 1917. Sergeant A. R. Rudkin, a teacher by profession, won the Military Medal, and was severely wounded when the New Zealanders helped to stop the gap before Amiens in March. He returned to New Zealand with the draft of wounded men which reached Wellington this week. Another brother, a married man, resides at Rona Bay, and a sister, Miss M. A. Rudkin, is a nurse at Wellington Hos-: pital. -Evening Post, 25/9/1918.
KUMARA NOTES.
(Our Own Correspondent.)
WELCOME HOME SOCIAL.
A welcome home social was tendered to Driver T. Straight, Private C. Straight, and Sergeant Rudkin, bv Mrs. Butler at Butler’s Hall on Monday evening last, and was voted a great success. The proceedings were opened by the Mayor elect, Mr. R. McGlane, who, in a brief speech, heartily welcomed the returned men who had fought so nobly in the late disastrous war. Sergeant Rudkin, who bears unmistakable evidence of the severe ordeal through which he has gone, responded on behalf of himself and comrades. He also paid a special tribute to Mrs. Butler for the splendid arrangements made. Musical items were given by the Misses Jones (Goldsborough), Evenden, McLean, Straight, Cook, and Stuart; also by Messrs McMahon, Murtha, S. Straight, and the three returned warriors, after which a delightful supper was handed round by the ladies. Dancing was then indulged in till the small hours of the morning, when the proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. The accompanists were Miss Burger, Miss Vlack, Miss Stuart, Miss McLean and Mr. Turley, whilst Messrs M. C. Dalke and Murtha had charge of the floor. -Greymouth Evening Star, 17/5/1919.
We offer our congratulations to Mr . A. R. Rudkin, of Otaki, who has now received the Military Medal awarded him some time ago for bravery on the field. Mr Rudkin is fully entitled to the trophy, he having secured it in recognition of an act that would have been performed only by the bravest of men. -Otaki Mail, 17/11/1919.
WEDDING BELLS.
RUDKIN — JUDD.
A wedding that caused considerable interest was solemnised at the Te Horo Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoon, when Mr Alfred R. Rudkin, M.M., of Otaki, sixth son of the late Mr and Mrs George R. Rudkin, of Kumara, was united in holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Elsie Judd, sixth daughter of the late Mr and Mrs David Judd, of Otaki. Both the bride and bridegroom are well and popularly known in this district, while the bridegroom has many friends on the West Coast (S.I.), where he resided for a number of years. The bride was stylishly attired in white crepe-de-chene, with a lovely hand-embroidered veil, and wreath of orange blossoms. she carried a pretty bouquet of Christmas lilies, carnations, and sweet peas, nicely intermingled with maiden-hair fern. The bouquet, which was decorated with streamers to match, was the handiwork of Mrs Witchell, of Otaki, and was greatly admired. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Olive Judd, who was elegantly dressed in champagne coloured crepe-de-chene, with hat to match. She also carried a beautiful bouquet, which was composed of cherry-coloured sweet peas, carnations, and maiden-hair fern, with streamers to match. She wore a valuable opal brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. G.. Slade, M.A., while Mr A. E. Minton, of Otaki, carried out f the duties of best man. Miss Muir ably presided at the organ, and I hymns, appropriate for the occasion, were rendered. The interior of the church, thanks to the lady friends of the bride, had been effectively decorated for the occasion. After the ceremony a large number of relatives and friends sat down to an excellent repast at the public hall, where the tables were tastefully arranged with flowers, while the wedding cake, the cynosure of all eyes, formed the centre piece. A number of toasts were enthusiastically honoured, and pleasing reference was made on all sides to the bride and bridegroom, while feeling testimony was made to the parents, all of whom had passed to the Great Beyond. The bride’s travelling costume was of navy, with hat to match. Mr and Mrs Rudkin were motored to Otaki, where they caught the New Plymouth train en route to Wellington. After a brief stay in the Empire City they will journey to, Christchurch on their honeymoon, after which they will take up residence at Otaki. The happy young couple were the recipients of many nice presents, useful as well as ornamental. We join with their many friends in wishing them long life and prosperity. Among the guests at the wedding were Misses Rudkin (3), sisters of the bridegroom. -Otaki Mail, 31/12/1920.
Alfred died at 73 and lies in the Mangere Cemetery, Auckland.
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