Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie Ernest Hudson,  Service Number - 371

Leslie Ernest Hudson was born in Cowl Cowl Station, Hillston, New South Wales, Australia On the 20 January, 1898.(1) He was the son of Ernest Edward Hudson and Jean Hudson, and brothers to Eric Lindon Hudson, who eventually joined the army alongside his brother in the first world war.(2) He lived in Duntroon, Canberra, where his father worked as a station manager from 1903 to 1912.(3) Hudson was raised as an Anglican. Years later, his family moved to Jeir Station, Yass Valley, New South Wales, (4) where he eventually attended Fort Street Public School, and then afterwards, Sydney Technical High School for 6 years until his graduation. At Sydney Technical high school, (5) Hudson attended classes 1B, 3B, 4B, 5A, 15B, 16B, and 17B, where he studied from 1909 - 1914. (6) He would then receive a prize in Geography. He did not attend university however, as he managed to find a job as an analytical chemist after high school. When the war broke out, Hudson felt the need to fight for his country.

Hudson enlisted in the AIF on the 30 of March, 1916, at the age of 18 at Randwick NSW. His older brother, who had also enlisted in the army, would also survive the war. 

Hudson embarked later that year on 20 October, 1916 from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln, along with his brother Eric (7). Hudson was promoted from Private to Sergeant on 13 February, 1917. Hudson was transferred to the 23rd Machine Gun Company and was sent to fight in France later that year. On 26th May 1917 Hudson was in trouble with his commanding officier for failing to report his absence from parade. The during the month of August, 1917, (8) Hudson would be severely reprimanded for failing to wear fatigues after being warned to do so by the Orderly Sergeant, a neglect of orders and duty.

In June 1918, was diagnosed with appendicitis and was sent to hospital in France and then off to England to Cambridge Hospital and then the 3rd Auxillary Hospital at Dartford . He never fully recovered and was returned to Australia in December 1918 and(10) on the 11 February 1919, Leslie Ernest Hudson would ultimately be discharged from military service due to medical unfitness.

After the war, Hudson decided to continue his occupation as an analytical chemist. He died on the 7 February 1971, at the age of 73. He was commemorated by his school at Sydney Technical High School First World War Honour Roll, where he, and many other techies who served are remembered for their commitment during World War I.

References

Life Summary Related entries peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au
Home-Town peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/lifesummary/hudson-leslie-ernest-lachlan-les-20097
Life Summary Religious influence peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au
School attendance Virtual War Memorial Australia
THS 1914 Intermediate DT
Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1923), Friday 18 December 1914, page 5
The AIF Project, University of Canberra
Memorial ACT
3rd DIV M.G War gratuity schedule.
Australian Military Forces, 2nd Military District, Victoria Barracks, Sydney
The AIF Project, University of Canberra

Bibliography

Leslie Ernest Hudson, Research on Google Drive
“https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=145581”
“https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/344926”
"Biography - Leslie Ernest Lachlan (Les) Hudson - People Australia”
“HUDSON Leslie Ernest   ANALYTICAL CHEMIST”(google drive)
“https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7489701”
“HUDSON, Leslie Ernest – ACT Memorial”
“Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries, 1914-18 War”
“Sergeant Leslie Ernest Hudson | NSW War Memorials Register”
“https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7017509”
“Group portrait of the officers and NCOs of the 23rd Machine Gun Company at Locre, Belgium.”