Charles Henry Ruddock from a family photograph. Image very kindly donated by Dorothy Ruddock via David Evans.
David Evans’ painstaking recording and sharing of the Ruddock family archive continues today with a look at the Great War history of Walsall Wood man, Charles Henry Ruddock.
A few weeks ago, we kicked the series off with an article about Charles’ history in the army in the late Victorian era and South Africa, which has caused no small amount of debate and ponderance amongst the blog readers.
This occurred following the wonderful material that recently came to light, so kindly donated by Julie Whitehouse and Dorothy Ruddock who have continued to share a hugely disparate range of fascinating family ephemera, most of which is still yet to be published here.
This is the second instalment of the history of Charles Henry Ruddock, with more to come soon.
A good starting point on the subject is the post here regarding the Cape by Janet Davies Warallo followed by the post about Dulce Domum and the Ruddock family photos.
My thanks again to Dorothy, Julie and David – if you have anything to add, please do: comment here or mail me, please – BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers.
Charles Henry Ruddock and the Great War
Charles was ‘Embodied into Service’ on 5th August 1914. He had first joined the Army in 1890, where he served 21 years, 17 in the South Staffs Regiment, followed by 4 years in the Military Provost Staff Corps.
That must have been the equivalent of an IT qualification in the day! Image very kindly donated by Dorothy Ruddock via David Evans.
Now the Great War had been declared and Territorial Sergeant C Ruddock was ’embodied service’ (source: Charles Ruddock service records).
The family notes record that he served under Colonel Wingfield Stratford, who commanded the North Midlands Division, I understand. Charles was awarded the DCM during this conflict, and was promoted to Warrant Officer in March 1915. He was posted to Europe on 3 March 1915, and returned to England to recover from a wound, on 22 July 1918. He retired from the Army on 22 October 1918. He had served another four and a half years in the Regular Army.
Charles’ Military History Sheet records that he was awarded the DCM for
‘consistent good work since the Division landed. He has worked night and day getting stores up to the trenches on responsible and detached work. He has shown great energy and tact’ vide London Gazette, 11th March, 1916.
Charles returned home to live with his wife Ada and family in Ogley Square, Mill Road, Brownhills.[Worth reading that link, Ogley Square was no place fit for heroes – Bob]
Dorothy kindly shared the following images and ephemera from the family connection:
