Ernest Edward Hudson was born and grew up in Chelmsford, the son of an engraver. He served in the Essex Regiment before the war and as a reservist was called up at its outbreak. In between he worked for Marconi's in Chelmsford. He was engaged to marry. His mother lived in Tindal Street, Chelmsford. He went overseas in 1940 and was killed in Italy in December 1943.

Ernest was born in the Chelmsford registration district in 1913, the son of Alfred Jesse Hudson (born in West Ham in 1869) and Emily Hudson (nee Miller) (1885-1959). His mother was Chelmsford-born and his parents had married in 1906. Five years later they had been living at 9 The Terrace Flats in Upper Bridge Road, Chelmsford.

Ernest's siblings included Emily Rose Hudson (born in 1907), Alfred Sydney Hudson (born in 1910), Christabel K. Hudson (1914-1942), and Cyril Jack Hudson (1916-1993).

In 1923 the family were resident in New Street, Chelmsford, and Ernest's father was an engraver.

Five year's later Ernest's mother appeared before Chelmsford's magistrates over a domestic incident. A Chelmsford newspaper reported:

"Domestic Discord. Mrs. Emily Hudson, New Street, Chelmsford, pleaded guilty to assaulting her husband. Alfred Jesse Hudson, on March 12. When asked to plead, defendant said, "He hit me and I hit him back." - Complainant said that last Monday night he was at home at eleven o'clock, when his wife, who had been out, returned - The Clerk: Alone? - Witness: As far as the gate. He spoke her, and defendant told him to shut his mouth or she would shut it for him. She slapped bis face "all ways." Witness went upstairs, and defendant preceded him and lit the gas in his room, made some remark, and defendant carne back and gave him another one." He tried defend himself as well could. "but," he added. "you can see gentlemen, my face with what results."

Ernest Edward HUDSON, Private, 2/5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

(formerly of the Essex Regiment). Killed in Italy. Aged 28

His son, hearing the noise, then came tn and held him down while defendant took his photograph with her wedding ring." - The Clerk: Do you mean she scratched your face? Witness:. Yes; my wife will persist in going about drinking with this man of hers. I have been in hospital, disabled to a large extent by rheumatoid arthritis, I do not want, to be vindictive, but, t want. you, gentlemen, to point, out to her that sooner later. if she goes on riding the high horse, she will fall at the last jump. We have been married 21 years and have five children, one whom is married, all live at home.

Defendant: I admit I did it, but called me filthy names. Complainant: When it comes to swear-off I can hold own with her any day, but I ask you. gentlemen, would you like to ve cakked a dirtu lazy —? Anything I have called her I can prove I had a perfect, right call her —Defendant: He smacked my face and threw a boot at me. He has hit me a thousand times. I think I am entitled to hit him back. He is on crutches, but he can use his hands, I can tell you. - Complainant said he had hardly any strength in his hands. —Defendant: Except to your wife!— Defendant was bound over for 12 months to keep the peace.—Defendant: On condition that uses me well.—The Clerk : There are no conditions."   

Prior to the Second World War Ernest served with the Essex Regiment and then worked at the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company in Chelmsford. As a reservist he was mobilised at the outbreak of the war. He went overseas early in the war and served as Private 6010748 in the 2/5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

Ernest was killed on 2nd December 1943 in Italy. He was 30 years old, and had been overseas for three years. At the time of his death Ernest was engaged to Nancy Potter of 11 Sunrise Avenue in Chelmsford, while his mother was living at Castle House in Tindal Street, Chelmsford.

Ernest has no known grave and is commemorated by the Cassino Memorial in the Cassino War Cemetery, which lies 87 miles south-east of Rome.

111203