Rudkin George Henry 2/Lt

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Surname: Rudkin;

Forename(s): George Henry;

Initials: GH;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Born in: Grantham;

Previous Number: 1795;

Previous Regiment: Lincs Yeo;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 21 Bn;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 62 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 21 Bn;

How killed: D;

Where: UK;

When killed: 28-Oct-1918;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: MC:For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He fought his guns with great courage and initiative during a critical period of an enemy attack under heavy artillery fire, and set a magnificent example to his men, in staying to the last and covering the withdrawal of the infantry.;

Other Data: Died of pneumonia 28/10/1918 in the Military Hospital, Lincoln - NOK: wife, Ethel Henrietta Rudkin,The Manor Farm, Navenby, Lincoln. Father: James Rudkin, The Manor House, Folkingham
Casualty Form: 16/10/1917 - Base Depot (Camiers) from UK. 19/10/1917 joined 62 Coy in the field. 26/10/1917 to Inf Course, rejoined 7/12/1917. Leave to UK 8/2/1918 rejoined 22/2/1918. Adm hosp (5 Brit Red X)12/4/1918, ICT Arm (post inoc) rejoined 13/4/1918. To Hosp ship "Brighton" for England 17/4/1918. Awarded MC 16/9/1918.
Enlisted as 1795 Linc Yeo on 14/9/1914 - prev served Worksop College Cadet Corps, aged 29 yrs 2m - a farmer. Appointed L/Cpl 2/7/1915, Cpl 4/11/1915, attchd 1 MGC Cadet Bn 10/05/1917 and disch to Commsn 25/8/1917.
Cas Form: embarked Southampton 27/10/1915 dis Alexandria 21/11/1915. To Red X Hosp, Giza, Cairo 17/2/1916 - shingles and sciatica - to base depot Alexandria 8/3/1916. Rejoined Regt at Bahnasa 24/3/1916. 27/11/1916 embarked for England to join MG Cadet Bn
born 23/6/1884, married Parish church of Digby, Lincs, 28/6/1917
Estate £673/7/4d

binoculars stated to have been his property offered eBay Mar '15

https://southlincolnshirewarmemorials.org.uk/our-villages/folkingham/george-henry-rudkin/
Today we remember Second Lieutenant George Henry Rudkin MC., who died on this day, 28th November in 1918 and is buried in Folkingham.

George who had recently been serving with the 21st Battalion Machine Gun Corps, previously serving with the Lincolnshire Yeomanry, died in 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln.

George was the 4th of 8 children born to James Rudkin and his wife Annie Henshae. James was a farmer and Grazier of Hanby near Folkingham. By 1911 George was himself also a farmer and was living in Keisby aged 25.
George married Ethel Henrietta Hutchinson in 1917, although had no children.

George Rudkin had served with the Lincs Yeomanry and in 1917 was Gazetted to the Machine Gun Corps.

Grantham Journal Saturday 12th October 1918:
Second-Lieut. G.H. Rudkin, M.G.C., eldest son of Mr. James Rudkin, the Manor House, Folkingham, has been awarded the Military Cross, under circumstances officially reported as follows:- “He fought his guns with great courage and initiative during a critical period of an enemy attack under heavy artillery fire and set a magnificent example to his men in staying to the last and covering the withdrawal of the infantry.” Second-Lieut. Rudkin’s many friends will warmly congratulate him on the distinction he had earned.

Grantham Journal Saturday 2nd November 1918
DEATHS
RUDKIN – On the 28th October, at the 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, Sedond-Lieut. George Henry Ridkin, M.C. (Machine Gun Corps), eldest son of James and the late Ann Rudkin, of Folkingham, age 33 years.

FOLKINGHAM
SAD NEWS – Many inhabitants of Folkingham and district were plonged in grief when the sad news became known of the death of Mrs. Rudkin at the Manor House, followed shortly after by that of her son, Lieut. George Rudkin. Mrs Rudkin who had for some time been in failing health, was unable to bear the suspense of her son’s illness and passed peacefully away. Lieut. Rudkin joined uo in September 1914, in the Lincolnshire Yeomanry, and was aboard the Mercian when the transport was shelled. He served 14 months in Egypt, and was gazetted in 1917 to the Machine Gun Corps. He went to France, and won his M.C. in the retirement of the 21st March. Invalided home in April, he had been in hospital ever since and died on Oct. 28th in his 33rd year, from pneumonia, following influenza. By his death we lose a most promising and respected officer. In civil life he was a keen agriculturist, and was ever ready to assist his neighbours. His genial presence amongst us will be sorely missed, and the sympathy of the whole district goes out to the bereaved wife and father and family.

THE SINCERE SYMPATHY of the inhabitants is expressed to Mr. James Rudkin upon the great and sudden loss by death of his wife and eldest son, within only a few hours of each other. Lieut. Rudkin had resided at Hanby practically the whole of his life and the family were most highly respected. Mr George, as he was usually spoken of, was a most useful and prominent member of the Church choir, and gained the regard of most people with whom he came in contact.

We will Remember Them

https://southlincolnshirewarmemorials.org.uk/our-villages/folkingham/george-henry-rudkin/;

Other Notes: RUDKIN, Second Lieutenant, G H, MC, Machine Gun Corps. 28th October 1918. Folkingham (St. Andrew) Churchyard - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.
MC: LG 16/9/1918;

Related National Archives files: WO339/83351;

END OF RECORD.

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