19. The Dudley Family
WW1 – The Dudley Family
Saluting their Service - Grahame Old
The DUDLEY Family of Collie
There were a number of families from Collie and Surrounding Districts who provided more than one son to the War effort during WW1. There are also instances of father and son/s serving from the same family. Records show that there were three instances of a family with father and two sons serving and four of a father and one son serving from Collie. Sadly, one of the fathers serving with his two sons was killed in action at Pozieres his sons survived the war and returned home to Collie, this is their story;
Frank DUDLEY (Snr)
At the outbreak of WW1 Frank Dudley was living with his wife Anne and family in Coombe St Collie. Frank was employed as an underground coalminer at Collieburn. At age 42 years, Frank enlisted for service in the AIF eager to do his bit. His allocated service number was 2143 and after training he was posted to the 28th Infantry battalion. The 28th Bn was formed mainly by men from WA as part of the doubling of the AIF before movement to France. Frank had two sons, Frank (Jnr) and Albert, both also served during WW1. In January 1916, Frank was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion in Egypt, bound for France and the Western Front, because of his age, he was affectionately known as ‘Old Duds’ to his mates. The 28th Battalion undertook its baptism of fire at Pozieres and it was here that Frank was reported missing in action on the 29th July 1916. During WW1, post battle protocol required an enquiry to be conducted into all missing soldiers to determine their fate. Sadly the enquiry found that Frank Dudley was killed in action on the 29th July 1916 with no known grave. Copies of the Red Cross enquiry files follow;
Extracts from Red Cross enquiry into missing soldier Frank Dudley
2156 Pte. Lionel Gibbs, 28th Batt., C. Coy, IX Plat. (RTA 3.9.1919):
I know Fred [Frank] Dudley was killed at Poziers [sic] on July 29th. He went over in the first stunt. I was in the second stunt so didn't see what happened. He was killed by shrapnel instantaneously and there was no time to bury him;
836 Frank Leslie Dewar, 28th Batt., C Coy (RTA 4.5.1917):
Was in C. Cy, 12th Platoon, 4th reinf. He joined Batt. in Egypt. Was tall, dark complexion, came from W.A. was a miner at Collie - about 47 years old. He was hit by a shell and blown to pieces during the July stunt;
421 Pte. Lewis Farmer, 28th Batt., C. Coy, 12 Plat. (RTA 28.2.1919):
Dudley was killed about 3 a.m. on the morning of the 28th July, 1916 in No Man's Land at Pozieres. I do not know what happened to the body later. I was in the same platoon and knew him well.
2141 Pte. Charles James Digwood, 28th Batt. (RTA 27.2.1917): (Collie Boy)
F. Milligan, 28th Battn. now at Raymond St. Collie, W. Australia was alongside Dudley when he was killed by a shell. I heard this by a letter from one of Milligan's relations.
2183 Pte. Francis Denis Milligan, 28th Batt. (RTA 14.1.1917): (Collie Boy)
Dudley went into the trenches one night about the 28th July 1916 with the battalion. I went in on the 3rd of August and met one of my mates named Forster (Pte) and he said to me "Old Dud's killed" (meaning Pte Dudley). He said we were out on No Mans Land in a shell hole together and a shell came over and Dud got it in the head. We charged on and he was left there and I never saw him again.
Forever the family man, Frank Dudley (Snr) was also the loving father of two young daughters, Irene and Hazel. The following extracts are from postcards sent to his daughters;
22nd November 1915
My Dear Little Girls
‘Just a few little lines hoping to find you both well & happy as it leaves your Dear Father I hope you are both good little Girls to your Mother. I hope I will be home with you before long, I will find you such a nice little dress wishing you all a merry xmas. From your loving Father xxxxxxxxx’
5th January 1916
To My Dear Little Girls
‘Hoping to find you well as it leaves me at present. Tell Mother I am waiting very anxiously for your photos then I will be able to look at them every day. It wont be long before I am home with you, I will bring you home a nice Little present. From your ever loving Father xxxxxxxxx’
Sadly Frank Dudley never returned one can only imagine the anguish of his two dear daughters when told of his death. With no known grave 2143 Frank Dudley (Snr) is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial France, the AWM Roll of Honour panel 112 and the Collie Soldiers Park Memorial.
Footnote:
Two younger brothers of Frank Dudley from NSW, Frederick and Albert, also served during WW1, sadly Albert was also killed at Pozieres one week before his brother Frank.
Frank DUDLEY (Jnr)
Frank Dudley (Jnr) age 21 years, was the first in the Dudley family to enlist to his bit in WW1. Frank was working in Port Stephens NSW, when he enlisted in September 1914, service number 845 he was posted to the 13th Infantry Battalion. Frank (Jnr) listed his father as his next of kin. Frank went ashore at Gallipoli but was evacuated to a hospital ship on 21 may 1915 (sickness). From the hospital ship Frank was evacuated to hospital in Egypt with acute rheumatism. He was declared medically unfit for further service and returned to Australia in August 1915. Frank Dudley (Jnr) was discharged in March 1916 at the same time his father arrived on the Western Front with the 28th Bn.
The attached newspaper articles feature Frank (Jnr);
Newspaper Extracts Re Frank Dudley (Jnr)
Southern Times (Bunbury, WA)
3 October 1911
THE BOXING.
(By "The Marquis")
FRANK DUDLEY V. JACK STUCHBURY (another Collie Boy)
These two promising youths opened the fist cuff portion of the programme. Both put in good work. Dudley was especially good with a straight out left. Stuchbury's forte seemed to be a right hook. Dudley had things very much his own way. It was not his first appearance in the roped arena, but Stuchbury made his initial bow on Saturday night, and he shaped well, apparently being able to take any amount of punishment.
Bunbury Herald
20 April 1915
Off to Turkey
OUR BOYS IN EGYPT.
Jack Marchant, of Collie, writing from, Egypt, says, the 13th Battalion left last Sunday for Turkey.
The letter runs:-
We have quite a few Collie boys here in this Contingent. Young Frank Dudley(Collie Boy) is in the 13th Battalion. I went over to Mena Camp the Sunday before last, that it where the First are camped under the Pyramids, and had a look at Frank Hodgson(Collie Boy). He is quite settled, down to the army life. They left here last Sunday for Turkey. I think they ought to give a good account of themselves. We are under orders to leave here any minute. We have everything packed to go, only the worst, we don't know where we are going.
Sunday Times
19 December 1915
Mrs. Frank Dudley is a war bride who has every reason to be proud of her male relatives, both those of blood and those acquired by her marriage on December 2, when she changed her name from Miss C. Lockhart to that of Mrs. Dudley, the bridegroom being the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Dudley, of Collie. The bridegroom has only just returned from Gallipoli, his father and brother are also with the AIF, and was attended by Private S. Smith, a comrade who shared with him the danger and glory of the memorable landing. The bride, who is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Lockhart, of South Bunbury, has four brothers fighting at the front. The wedding, which was held quietly in Perth, was followed by a reception at the Moana Cafe, after which the happy couple left for Mundaring and later for Bunbury and Collie. This sheet wishes them every good luck. No shirkers in their family.
Albert William DUDLEY
Albert Dudley was working alongside his father as an underground coalminer at Collieburn prior to the war. Albert enlisted in March 1915 at the age of 20 years. His allocated service number was 842 and after training he was posted to the 48th Infantry battalion. Alberts listed place of residence was Coombe St Collie and his next of kin was listed as his father Frank Dudley (Snr). Albert embarked for overseas service in June 1915 but was hospitalised in Egypt with a foot injury. In September 1915 he embarked for Gallipoli Peninsula but was again hospitalised in December with foot problems due to earlier injuries. In June 1916 he was evacuated to England. In September 1917 Albert finally re-joined his 48th Battalion mates in the field France. In October 1917 he was returned to England and hospitalised with continuing foot problems. He married in England in December 1917 and his next of kin changed to his wife Elsie Harriet Dudley. Albert again joined the 48th Battalion in April 1918 and served out the remainder of the war in France before returning to Australia with his wife in June 1919. He was discharged in November 1919.
The Dudley Family - Remembered forever at the Collie-Cardiff RSL Sub Branch