Photo: Brian Chandler

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 24th November 1914

Photo :John Alsop Collection Prudhoe Station 1906

Shields Daily News Tuesday 24th November 1914

Ernest William Judd was born on the 7th April 1873, at 3 Sydney Cottages, Battersea, to parents James Judd [born 1829, died 1902] and Mary Ann née Hunt [born 1835, died 1919]. He was baptised with two of his sisters Annie Edith [born 1868] and Kate [born 1869] on the 13th April 1873. Their parents, Mary Ann and James were married in Mar 1854 at Hartley Witney where their first five children were born.

Their first child Sarah Jane [born 1854; died 1935], was baptised on the 19th March 1854; the next four were all sons: Charles Edward [born 1856]; James [born 1857; baptised 23 Aug 1857; died 1860]; Henry Edward [born 1859; died 1920] followed by George [born 1864; died 1921]. After the birth of George, the family moved from Hartley Wintney to Battersea, Wandsworth where the following children were born: Annie Edith [born 1866; died 1948]; Kate [born 1869; died 1943]; Ada [born 1871; died 1951]; Ernest William [born 1873; died 1914] and Henry [born 1874].

The 1881 census record show the family were residing at 3 Sydney Cottages, Battersea, their father James was working as a labourer, their mother Mary Ann would probably be tending to the family home, looking after the family, cooking etc., especially as there were four children still living with them. Their eldest child, George [aged 16], has his profession at that time down as a General Labourer (Unemployed); their three younger children, Kate aged 12; Ada aged 9 and Ernest William aged 8, were still at school.

James and Mary were still residing at 3 Sydney Cottages, Battersea in 1891. However only three members of their family still at home: George (now 26), Kate (22) and Ernest (18). Their daughter, Ada (19), is working as a Domestic Servant for a family living in a residence in 42 Sugden Road, Battersea; the head of the house is an Architect by profession.

Ada married James John Hill on the 22nd January, 1895 at Weymouth Holy Trinity Church in Dorset, her address on her marriage certificate was her parents address at 3 Sydney Cottages, Battersea. Her husband was residing at the R & D barracks in Plymouth.

Ernest’s sister Kate married William Charles Wiltshire on the 14th February, 1898, at St Michael’s Church in Battersea. William was working as a cycle maker and Kate was working as a Domestic Servant. At the time of their marriage Kate was living at 152 Northorte Road and William was residing at South Street, Farnham in Surrey.

Their parents moved house once more and in 1901 the family are residing at 62 Darley Road, Battersea. Living with their parents are George and Henry, George is working as a labourer and Henry as a painter. Ernest isn’t living with his parents in 1901, he may be working elsewhere as he would now be 28 years-old.

Annie Edith, Ernest’s sister married William Wernham on the 4th May 1907 at St Michael’s Church, Wandsworth. At the time of their marriage Annie was 40 and William was 32, their witnesses were Harry Judd and Ernest Judd. Their address at the time of their marriage was 62 Darley Road, Battersea, her parents’ home in 1901; her father had died in 1902 just after the 1901 census previous to her wedding. William was working as a Blacksmith and appeared to follow in his father’s profession; Annie is down as being a 'spinster'.

In 1908, the year following his sister’s wedding, Ernest William was working as a decorator, and he married Alice Maude Beach [nee Scott], daughter of Sidney Scott on the 7th June 1908 at St Michael's church in Wandsworth. Alice was already a widow when she married Ernest, and had a five-year-old daughter.

By 1911, Ernest and his wife, Alice had moved to 68 Chatham Road, Wandsworth Common, London, with Alice's step daughter Edith Beach born in 1903.

Ernest’s mother, Mary Ann is living with her son Henry and his wife, Elizabeth at 7 Montpelier Road, Kingsdown Road, Upper Holliway North.

Residing in London, Ernest enlisted at Battersea into the Royal Field Artillery on the 14th November 1914. After enlisting he was ordered to join his unit at Newcastle which was then the No 1 Base Depot. However, when he enlisted, he told them he was single and obviously this was playing on his mind.

He was killed at Prudhoe Railway Station after being hit by a train on the 22nd November 1914.

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 24/11/1914 reports:-

A London Recruits Suicide at Prudhoe.The Deputy Coroner, Mr P.M. Dodds held an inquest at the Co-operative Institute, Prudhoe Castle, last night, touching the death of Ernest Wm Judd whose mutilated body was found near Prudhoe Station on Sunday morning.Inspector Wright deposed that on searching the line after the body had been found, he came across a recruit's pass bearing the name of Ernest Wm. Judd, who had attested for the Royal Field Artillery at London on November 14th, and was ordered to join the depot at Newcastle. His age was given as 36 years. Along with the pass was a letter addressed to Mrs Judd, 68 Chatham Road, Wandsworth Common, London in which he (deceased) stated he had deserted the Army. Being married, and having enlisted as single, had preyed upon his mind. The inspector added that he had notified the Army authorities at Newcastle, who replied that no such man had presented himself there, and they had no notification of his enlistment.

Thomas Leathard, Low Prudhoe, stated he saw deceased writing a letter in the Adam and Eve Inn on Saturday night, and he seemed to study a lot whilst writing it.

George Trueman, booking clerk, Prudhoe deposed to finding the body, which was horribly cut up. A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned.

Ernest service in the forces was so short he did not leave any personal effects, £1 19s 3d was his total from the army, because his service was cut short.

He has no medal card, but has a CWGC entry.

Ernest William Judd is not remembered in the North East on a War Memorial.

Ernest William Judd is remembered in the London War Memorial online.

The CWGC entry for Gunner Judd