Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (18) William Edward Rudling

William Edward Rudling

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. W. Rudling. Church window: William E Rudling. Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as W E Rudley, (probably on account of the fact that it was several years after the conclusion of the Great War that the Hospital was built) [ERO A10815].

Rank: Private

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment. 2nd Battalion.  Service No: 27046. [CWGC]

Service Details: Born: Blackmore, Essex Enlisted: Epping [SDGW] Medal card: Victory/British K/1/103 B15 p. 2956 [Ancestry.com]

Personal and family information: Brother of Mr. A. Rudling, of 10, Elm Park, Brixton Hill, London. [CWGC] The name does not appear on the 1881 census for Blackmore, or having been born in Blackmore.  Perhaps a later resident. William Edward Rudling was baptised on 27th April 1879 at St Michael’s Church, Thorpe-le-Soken (Tendring district), Essex.  His parents were William (a painter) and Sarah.  The priest records the place of residence as ‘Thorp’ [ERO D/P 8/1/6]. The 1901 census lists William Rudling, age 22, as a grocer’s assistant.  He gives his birthplace as Thorp-le-Soken, and lived in Church Street with John Martin (also born Thorpe-le-Soken) and family, in what is now Longbeam Cottage.  1911: Living in Blackmore, age 30 (so was 8 years older than in 1901!)

Date of Death: 16th August 1916

Age: 38

Where died: Killed in action in the Battle of the Somme.

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Thiepval Memorial.  Pier and Face 2A.

List of Sources: Ancestry.com, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Soldiers who Died in the Great War,