Dvr
Thomas Francis Hudson

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1896
Place of birth:
Nymagee, New South Wales, Australia

General information

Profession:
Accountant

Army information

Country:
Australia
Force:
Australian Imperial Force
Rank:
Driver
Service number:
28063
Enlistment date:
05/09/1916
Enlistment place:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Units:
 —  Australian Field Artillery, 7th Bty. 3rd Bde.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
30/09/1917
Place of death:
Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
21

Memorial

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Driver Thomas Francis Hudson served in the 7th Battery, of the 3rd Brigade Australian Field Artillery, part of the 1st Australian Division.
Although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Australian Imperial Force Project indicate Thomas Francis Hudson as a Driver, he is mentioned in the War Diary of the 3rd Brigade Australian Field Artillery and in his Service Record and Red Cross Wounded and Missing file as a Gunner.
The 3rd Brigade Australian Field Artillery arrived in the Ypres area on the 8th of September 1917. The Artillery unit was to support the offensive, known as the Third Battle of Ypres. From the 9th till the 11th of September the 3rd Brigade Australian Field Artillery moved their guns close to the frontline. From the 12th of September onward they started supporting the British advance. The infantry of the 1st Australian Division joined the offensive a week later, on the 20th of September. Consequently the Brigade was attached to 1st ANZAC Corps and covered a portion of the 1st Australian Divisional Front. On the 26th of September the Brigade took part in the operations in the vicinity of Polygon Wood. And the Brigade was attached to the 5th Australian Divisional Artillery.
According to his Red Cross Wounded and Missing File, Thomas Francis Hudson, was assigned to the signaling section of the 7th Battery, 3rd Brigade Australian Field Artillery. On the night of the 30th of September 1917, he went out to the frontline at Polygon Wood, together with Lieutenant B. O’Reilly. Their he served as a telephonist for the lieutenant. They were to pass through coordinates of German positions to the 7th Battery. Thomas Francis Hudson was killed by a German shell, while working as a telephonist in the frontline at Polygonwood. Death was instantaneous and Hudson was buried near the place where he fell. His grave, however, was lost during the later duration of the war. He is now remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.