HUDSON, William

William Hudson was the son of John and Hannah Hudson of 40 Brick-kiln Street, Brierley Hill, and attended Brockmoor Council school. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps and was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the Worcesters on the Western Front. On the 21st March 1918 they were ordered to move forward to counter the first German Spring offensive which started at St. Quentin. Attempted counter-attacks failed and the Worcesters were driven back over the old Somme battlefield. They were transferred to Ploegsteert Wood where they faced the second German offensive on the Lys on the 9th April. Overwhelming German forces advanced and more heavy casualties were taken. While reorganising on the Aisne after the April battle they were caught by another German attack. On the 20th May they were in the village of Lhèry alongside the 10th Worcesters and were faced by waves of fresh German troops. Attacked from the flank as well as the front they were seriously outnumbered and fell back. As they retreated across the bare ridge behind the village, they were exposed to heavy enemy artillery and suffered severe losses including Private William Hudson. He was 20 years of age and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial and the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.