Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1898 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/175,
the son of John & Sarah Dudley (nee Ackerley).  The birth being registered
in the name of Charlie Dudley.

1901 Census - 10 Palmer Street, Sale.   Son - aged: 2 - born: Sale.   Head
of household - John Dudley- Married - aged: 39 - occ: Gardener (not
domestic) - born: Ashton upon Mersey.   Also Sarah Dudley - Wife - aged: 37
- born: Sale.  Plus - 8  siblings.

1911 Census - 7 Palmer Street, Sale.   Son - aged: 12 - Scholar - born:
Sale.   Head of household - John Dudley- Married - aged: 49 - occ: Gardener
(domestic) - born: Sale.   Also Sarah Dudley - Wife - aged: 48 - born:
Timperley.  Plus - 7  siblings.

Member of the Roebuck Lane Congregational Mission, Sale.

Enlisted in February 1916.   SDGW lists his number as 27903.

The 18th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment were late arrivals on the
Somme.   Serving with the 119th Brigade, 40th Division, from Fortel (N.E.
of Paris), they arrived at Le Meillard, northern Somme area  on the 5th
November 1916, travelling to Rougefay on the 15th before going down to the
south-eastern sector of the Somme Battlefield area.

"A grave cross marks the spot where he and several comrades fell - [no
longer there].    A stone in the Guard's Cemetery at Combles reads:- "To
the memory of these 30 soldiers of the British Empire who fell in 1916,
1917 and 1918 and were buried at the time in Combles German Cemetery and
Priez Farm Cemetery, Combles, but whose graves are now lost - their glory
shall not be blotted out".

His "Special Memorial Headstone M.I. - " He fought a good fight and died at
his post".