Private 40772 Frederick Osborne Whale Rudge

Killed in Action on Thursday, 22nd August 1918, age 23.
Buried in Grave II. D. 7. at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. 54th Brigade of 18th Division.
Formerly 36303 South Staffordshire Regiment.

Son of Mrs Harriett Kate Rudge, of 111, Kent St., Upper Gornal, Dudley, Worcs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/552238/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Frederick Osborne W. Rudge registered December quarter 1894 in Dudley.

1901 Census
1b Lockside, Tipton, Staffs.
Edward Rudge (58, Iron Worker, born West Bromwich), his wife Emma (57, born Tipton), their daughter: Kate (25, Single, Tailoress, born Tipton), and their grandson (Kate's son) Fred (6, born Tipton).

1911 Census
1b Lockside, Tipton, Staffs.
Edward Rudge (68, No Occupation, born West Bromwich), his wife Emma (67, born Tipton), their daughter: Kate (35, Single, Tailoress, born Tipton), and their grandson (Kate's son) Fred (16, Grocery Trade, born Tipton).

Personal Data

Frederick was employed as a Carter at Wolverhampton Railway Station.

He is also commemorated on Doug Lewis's excellent Wolverhampton War Memorials site at: www.wolverhamptonwarmemorials.org.uk/memorial_pages/Works/wolverhampton_railway_station.htm.

After Frederick's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/0/4d (10 pounds and 4 pence); this was paid to his mother, Harriet K., in December 1918. His War Gratuity was £6/0/0d (6 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his mother in December 1919. His mother had married in June quarter 1919 and was now Mrs Harriet K. Williams. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Frederick had enlisted in approximately March 1917.

Frederick's mother, Harriet Kate Rudge, was awarded a Dependant’s Pension of 10/6d (10 shillings and 6 pence) per week, effective from 11th March 1919. Her address at this time was 83 Union Street, Tipton, Staffs.

Action resulting in his death

By the middle of August 1918, the German advances from their 'Spring Offensive' had failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough, and they were now being forced to retreat. This period of decisive Allied advances become known as the '100 Days' leading to the armistice of 11th November 1918.

Fred Rudge was killed in action on 22nd August 1918 during the Battle of Albert when the 18th (Eastern) Division re-captured the town of Albert. Fred is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.

War Diary 2nd Bedfords, 22nd August 1918.
Tara Hill, near Albert.
Brigade attacked just south of ALBERT. Captain W.E. Aylwin MC commanding Battalion vice Commanding Officer who commanded Brigade vice Brigadier who was wounded. Battalion in Brigade Reserve.
At night the Battalion relieved 11th Royal Fusiliers on left Sub-sector on left of Tara Hill.
Casualties: -
Officers:
2/Lt.W.Whitbourn MC Killed in Action,
Lt. G.B. Reed Wounded [Died of wounds 23 August].
Other Ranks:
6 Killed in Action, 48 Wounded, 2 Missing, 1 Accidentally wounded.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald September 21st 1918
Another Tipton Soldier Killed in action.
Private Fred O. Rudge
The news of the death in action of another gallant young Tipton soldier has been received this week. He is Private Frederick Osborne W. Rudge, of 83 Union Street, Tipton Green, who with his mother Kate Rudge, had been widely known and respected by a large circle for many years. The young soldier was killed on August 22nd and had he lived until the 31st of that month he would have been 24 years of age. He was born in Bell Street, and attended Park Lane Council School. On leaving school he went for a short time to a grocer's, and then acted as a groom to a well-known railway official, after which he was employed as a lorry driver by the L.& N.W. Railway Company.
He joined the army in March 1917, arriving in France early in June. He was home on leave from the front for 14 days in February last. He was the only son, and since the war broke out his mother (herself an only child) has lost both her parents by death.
His mother received the following letter from Mr T.H. Shipley, district goods manager, Wolverhampton:- "It is with deepest regret that I have heard of the death of your son, who was killed in action, but it must be a great consolation to you to know that he died fighting for his country. I will take up with the War Office regarding his deferred pay and personal effects. I am sorry that the company have lost a valuable and trustworthy servant."
The deceased joined the South Staffs, and after serving with the 7th Bedford Regiment, was after his last visit home, transferred to the 2nd Bedfords.
also
Roll of Honour
RUDGE - Killed in action August 22nd 1918, somewhere in France, Private F.O.W. Rudge, beloved son of Kate Rudge, 83 Union Street, Tipton, and loving sweetheart of Elsie Lewis, Bell Inn, Bell Street, Tipton, aged 23 years. Ever remembered by his loving mother and sweetheart.
RUDGE - Killed in action on August 22nd 1918, somewhere in France, Private Fred Rudge (Tipton), of the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. Fondly remembered by his cousins George, Florrie and family.