TOPIC:

6705 BUGLER ERNEST WILLIAM DUDLEY: 1ST VOLUNTEER ACTIVE SERVICE COMPANY REINFORCING THE 2ND BATTALION WORCESTERS


Ernest William Dudley was born on 11th February 1880 in Chatham, Kent to parents Jesse and Julia Dudley. Their residence was recorded as St. Mary's Barracks.
Ernest was baptised on 10th March 1880 at the Garrison Chapel, Chatham, Kent. Ernest was born into a military family as his father Jesse was Sergeant Instructor Musketry of the 2/5th Regiment, Grans Shaft Barracks, Western Heights, Dover.

The census of 1881 finds the family now living at Mulbury House, Austcliffe Row, Wolverley, Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
The family now comprised of: parents Jesse and Julia and their offspring Clara M (12), Ernest W (11), Jessie G (10), Lionel A G (9), Mildred J (7), William H (5), Mabel E (3) and Dorothy (1). Only the latter two daughters being born in Worcestershire, the rest down south other than father Jesse, who was a Brummie.
By 1901 the family had relocated a short distance to 18 Horsefair, Kidderminster. Ernest was no longer at home (probably in South Africa with the regiment). The family were joined by Frank Seymour (5), Leonard Arthur (9), Lawrence (7), Marjorie 2) and Daisy Helen (0). So evenings without our modern television did not curtail evening entertainment!!

Ernest attested to the 1st Volunteer Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on 10th January 1901 in his home town of Kidderminster.
He was recorded as being 5' 4 3/4" in height, weighed 129lbs with a chest range of 33 1/4" to 35 1/2".
He was of dark complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair.
Church of England was his religious denomination.
Next of kin were father Jesse H Dudley, mother Julia and brother Lionel who all resided at Horsefair, Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

His service as follows:
Home: 10/01/1900 to 22/02/1900.
South Africa: 22/02/1900 to 01/05/1901.
Home: 02/05/1901 to 23/05/1901.
Total: 1 year and 134 days.

He does not appear on any casualty lists and so appears to have returned home unscathed from his experience of conflict far from home.

For his service to the Empire the Medal Roll WO100/184 confirms Ernest's entitlement to the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen and South Africa 1901.
He was also the recipient of the Worcester Tribute Medal as awarded in behalf of the citizens of Worcester to men of the Volunteer Battalion and Imperial Yeomanry who served during the South African Campaign.

Ernest (now 26) married Mary Amelia Simmonds (27) on 8th July 1906 at Kidderminster.
In 1891 the married couple were living at 55 Stourbridge Road, Kidderminster with Ernest plying his trade as an electrician and Mary was employed as an Axminster Setter. She would have been working in one of the numerous carpet factories that Kiddy was famed around the world for. Perhaps working for Brintons? Maybe Ernest worked in the carpet factories as a sparky himself? Also in the household were brother in law Joseph Simmonds a Wixman's Improver (another carpet trade) and sister in law Harriet Simmonds, also an Axminster Setter.

When the empire found itself at war against Germany, Ernest attested as Private 2640 to the Labour Corps on 18th September 1914 and gaining steady promotions upto the rank of Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant whilst being stationed in France.
Following the armistice, he was officially discharged on 13th February 1919.

He returned to his wife in Kidderminster and the Census of 1921 has him living at 11 Radford Avenue, Kidderminster. He was now an Electrical Jointer employed by Kidderminster Electric Lighting and Power Company living with Mary (Home Duties) and children William E Dudley (13), mother in law Emma Simmonds and sister in law Agnes Sheldon.

Moving on to the 1939 Census, Ernest and Mary were possibly living under the roof of his son and wife Margaret E Dudley at 104 Baxter Avenue, Kidderminster.
William had followed into his father's trade as a Plumber Jointer of Electric Cable. Ernest at 59 years old now had a wealth of experience in the electrical trade which gained him the prestigious post of Maintenance Foreman Electricity Supply.

Ernest of 104 Baxter Avenue, passed away on 20th January 1951 just shy of his 71st birthday. His estate valued at £492 19s 8d was inherited by his wife Mary.



Obverse of the Worcester Tribute Medal showing some minor damage to the enamelling. The 'shadow' of where the suspension claw once was attached can be seen at 12 o'clock. The majority of the remaining examples of this tribute are minus the suspension claw.


Reverse of the medal, having been polished somewhat, inscribed this:
"PRESENTED BY
THE CITIZENS OF WORCESTER
TO
BUGLER E.W.DUDLEY
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS
SERVICE WITH THE
WORCESTER VOLUNTEERS
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
1899 1900 1901"



Close up of rank and naming. It would appear that Ernest was the only Bugler awarded the Worcester Tribute from the 1st VBWR.
The Medal Roll has 6706 Bugler Frank Finch listed, who served with the 2nd V.B.W.R. He was from Evesham, Worcestershire and attested on the same date as Ernest, but at Worcester. Bugler Frank Finch also received a Worcester Jewel.

For a concise background and list of recipients of the Worcester Tribute please go to the Tribute Medal section of the ABW Forum as compiled and posted by Neville C.

As for Ernest's QSA and Great War medal group, I have no idea whether they remain extant. However, I will continue to hope that they are out there somewhere!

Steve – you wrote Bugler Dudley returned home in 1901 “unscathed”. I think he also returned home a hero.

Worcester Journal, 3 November 1900:



Worcestershire Chronicle, 4 May 1901:



For more info about the engagement at Boschfontein on 10 September 1900 follow this link to newspaper clipping in previous post:

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/3...asualty-or-not#98942

Regards, David.

A huge thank you to you David, for finding these two newspaper items. The first article has made my day! It places him at the action at Boschfontein for certain.
I also have the medal group and Worcester Jewel awarded to Sergeant Darby of Oldbury aswell!
Cheers Steve

Sgt. Darby and Bugler Dudley may also be listed on the Boer War commemorative board at Kidderminster Territorial Army Drill Hall in Kiddy.
Worth a look.

The following article was published in the Kidderminster Shuttle of November 3rd 1900 page 8.

"BUGLER DUDLEY MENTIONED FOR GALLANTRY"

"In official despatches from the seat of war published in the newspapers on Saturday last, Bugler Ernest Dudley of Kidderminster was mentioned for gallantry in the Boschfontein engagement, together with Sergeant Darby of Oldbury. Dudley who is twenty years of age was born at Chatham, and had lived in Kidderminster for sixteen years, his father was for many years one of the local Sergeant -Instructors and is now the landlord of the Cock In the Horsefair. Young Dudley was a great favourite among the local volunteers and was for seven years Bugler of the company. When the call to arms was sounded he was one of the first men to volunteer for active service.
He went out to South Africa as a member of the composite Volunteer Company, which left Kidderminster on January 20th under command of Captain Bucknall he had always expressed a desire for a military career, and was at once appointed Bugler to the Company. Dudley was employed as an assistant to the Setting Foreman at the Brussel Street Works of Messrs R. Smith & Son, and before he left home he was the recipient of a purse of money presented to him by the workpeople at the Brussel Street carpet works and also a shaving outfit given him by the firm. His letters home have been written in a cheerful tone. He has enjoyed excellent health, and so far has escaped injury. Our readers will remember that a few weeks ago we printed a letter from Bugler Dudley which he had addressed to Mr. Viney cashier at Messrs Smiths Works."

6754 PRIVATE THOMAS STANLEY INSALL: 'F' COMPANY (HALESOWEN) 1ST VOLUNTEER BATTALION WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.

Thomas Stanley Insall was born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire during the first quarter of 1864 to parents Thomas James and Alice Jane Insall.

He was baptised on 13th March 1864.

The Census of 1871 finds the family residing at "The Yard", Skelton, Yorkshire.
Father Thomas (born Shipston on Stour, Worcestershire) was employed as a stud groom. Thomas was now 6 years old and joined by sisters Alice Mary (7) and Bessie E (7 months born Devon)). Also brothers Samuel Henry (4 born Solihull) and Richard J (2 born Wales).

Census 1881 tells us that the family had moved to the bottom of Furlong Lane, Cradley, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Father Thomas (54) was now a farm bailiff and young Thomas (17) was employed as a plumber and glazier (plumbers generally glazed windows as part of their skillset back in those days).
The family had by now expanded to include; Amy J (8 born Finstall, Worcestershire), George F (6 born Solihull, Warwickshire), Lizzie (5 born Yorkshire), Martha M (4 born Kenilworth) and Maud (2 born Birmingham).

So, as is patently obvious by the birthplaces of the Insall children, the family were very nomadic as father Thomas moved the family regularly no doubt following suitable employment.

The family must have settled happily in the Cradley area of the black country, an area renowned as the world centre of the chain making industry having manufactured the chain for the Titanic amongst others.

Thomas and brother Samuel join the Halesowen company of the Worcestershire Regiment Volunteers and next find a mention in the local press as follows:

From: "Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Weekly Messenger", Saturday, October 1, 1887;

"VOLUNTEER PRIZE SHOOTING.- The annual prize competitions in connection with the Halesowen Volunteer Company commenced on Saturday afternoon on the rifle range. Captain S. W. Thompson was in command and Sergeant -Instructor Mayer had charge of the targets. The shooting for the Town Competition (seven shots at 300 yards) resulted as follows:-Private J. Layton, 28; Private T. Insall, 25; Sergeant S. Hackett, 23; Dr. H. R. Kerr, 19; Sergeant Rudge, 19; Sergeant Brettell, 19; Corporal G. Hackett, 19; Corporal S. Insall, 18; Sergeant E Hackett, 18; Corporal Bradley, 18; Sergeant A. C. Dickson, 17.-
The competitions were continued on Monday afternoon: Captain S. W. Thompson being in command. The following were the scores:-Company prizes; distance 200 and 300 yards seven shots at each:
Colour Sergeant F. Rudge, 54; Sergeant E. Hackett, 53; Sergeant S. Hackett, 48; Private T. Insall, 47; Corporal G. Hackett, 47; Private T. Hickton, 45; Sergeant A. C. Dickson, 43; Private I. Layton, 42; Sergeant J. Brettell, 40; Recruit's prizes( open to recruits who have joined the company during the last twelve months) , seven shots at 200 yards; Private H. Mayer, 17; Private J. Colley, 5; Private H. Colley, 4. Winner of Beauchamp Cup , Private Layton. A number of prizes were also awarded for regular attendance at drill."


The soldiering life appealed to Thomas following his service with the Worcester s VB, as he attested to the Grenadier Guards in London on 12th January 1888 giving his trade as grainer and stating his previous service with the volunteers. He was allocated the regimental number 1251.
His height was 5' 10 1/4", weight 134 lbs and chest measurement 35 1/2". He was of pale complexion, grey eyed and had brown hair. Church of England was his religious denomination.

Perhaps the rigours of the Caterham regime of turning men into guardsmen proved not to Thomas's liking, for he claimed discharge on payment of £10 on 12th April 1888 after only 90 days with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. However, his character was described as "Good during his short service". His intended residence upon discharge was to be Cradley, Worcestershire.
If he had stayed on, perhaps he would have been present at Belmont and Modder River during the ABW?

On returning to Worcestershire, he carried on with his involvement with the VB, and continued to prove to be an excellent marksman.

From" Bromsgrove and District Messenger"Saturday, 26th December, 1896; p.6:
"HALESOWEN.
VOLUNTEER PRIZE DISTRIBUTION,- The annual prize distribution to members of the Halesowen Company of Volunteers took place on Monday night in the Drill Hall, Halesowen. Mr. W. Somers presided over a large attendance. Letters of apology were read from Colonel Watson, Captain and Adjutant Thorneloe, and Major S. N. Thompson. The annual report by Captain J. W. Garrett showed that the total strength of the company was 101, compared with 96 last year. The figure of merit for class firing was 101, an increase of 29 points upon the previous year. There were 11 marksmen in the company, and 22 first class and 54 second class shots, which was very satisfactory. The best shot in the company was Private Thomas Insall, who had made 154 points. The total amount subscribed in prize money was £26 8s, and in addition various tradesmen gave articles for distribution.- The Chairman congratulated the members upon the satisfactory position of the company, and expressed the hope that it would become stronger and more efficient. The prizes he distributed included the Beauchamp Cup and £2 2s to Private Salt, and also Major Lea Smith's Challenge Cup and 10s. for the best all-round man in the company to Private Baster field."

Census event 1901, has Thomas living at Beecher Road, Cradley, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. He was now 37 and married to Ellen (32) with children Thomas James (9), Frederick (6), Lizzie M (4) and George E (2).
(By an amazing coincidence, I lived at number 10 Beecher Road as a child in one of the old Victorian terraces before it was demolished to build a bypass which never got built!).

Thomas was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal for his service in South Africa, but I am experiencing difficulty in raising the relevant Medal Roll to be sure of his clasp entitlement. Any help with this would be very much appreciated.
Additionally, he was the recipient of the Worcester Jewel tribute medal as awarded by the citizens of Worcester to members of the Volunteer Battalions and Imperial Yeomanry of the county.




The 'type 1' Worcester Jewel awarded to Pre. T. Insall. Missing the suspension claw and with some repair work to the blue enamelling.


Naming to the reverse.

Thomas passed away at the age of 50 sometime in the first quarter of 1914, having spent many years as a soldier of the Queen.

References:
Findmypast.
Neville C. via Worcester Tribute Medal page on the Anglo Boer War Forum.
Sally Bosley Badge Shop.