THE FAMILY OF MAJOR-GENERAL CHARLES HUDSON VC DONATES HIS VC GROUP TO THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS MUSEUM, NOTTINGHAM
28 May 2003


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Major General Charles Hudson,
Comd 11th Bn, The Sherwood Foresters

  • Victoria Cross
  • Companion, Order of the Bath
  • Knight of Grace, Order of St John of Jerusalem
  • Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) & Bar
  • Military Cross ( MC )
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • 1939-45 Star
  • France & Germany Star
  • Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • War Medal ( 1939-45 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
  • Croix de Guerre ( France )
  • Medal of Military Valour ( Italy )

On Wednesday, 28th May 2003, the surviving son of Major-General Charles Hudson donated his father's Victoria Cross medal group to the Regimental Museum of the Sherwood Foresters based in Nottingham Castle. The group was handed over into the care of Colonel John Hackett of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and chairman of the Museum Trustees.


For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 11 July 1918 ]. Near Asiago, Italy, 15 June 1918, T / Lieutenant Colonel Charles Edward Hudson, DSO, MC, comd 11th Bn, The Sherwood Foresters ( Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment ).

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his battalion was holding the right front sector during an attack on the British front. The shelling had been very heavy on the right, the trench destroyed, and considerable casualties had occurred, and all the officers on the spot had been killed or wounded. This enabled the enemy to penetrate our front line. The enemy pushed their advance as far as the support line which was the key to our right flank. The situation demanded immediate action.

Lieutenant Colonel Hudson recognising its gravity at once collected various headquarter details, such as orderlies, servants, runners, etc., and together with some Allies, personally led them up the hill. Driving the enemy down the hill towards our front line, he again led a party of about five up the trench, where there were about 200 enemy, in order to attack them from the flank. He then with two men got out of the tranch and rushed the position, shouting to the enemy to surrender, some of whom did. He was then severely wounded by a bomb which exploded on his foot. Although in great pain, he gave directions for the counter-attack to be continued and this was done successfully, about 100 prisoners and six machine guns being taken.

Without doubt the high courage and determination displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hudson saved a serious situation and had it not been for his quick determination in organising the counter-attack a large number of the enemy would have dribbled through, and a counter-attack on a larger scale would have been necessary to restore the situation."

Charles Hudson was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 18th September 1918.


For the award of the Military Cross

[ London Gazette, 25 November 1916 ], Temp Captain Charles Edward Hudson, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment.

"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his company with great courage and initiative, capturing two enemy bombing posts. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work."


Created a Companion to the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )

[ London Gazette, 16 August 1917 ], T / Major Charles Edward Hudson MC, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack and before the objective was gained, he showed great prompititude and disregard for his own safety in reorganising his battalion and leading it forward to the objective, which was secured and consolidated through his successful efforts. He has on many occasions showed capacity of the highest military value, notably in repulsing hostile counter-attacks upon his battalion at a critical moment.


For the award of a Bar to the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )

[ London Gazette, 26 November 1917 ], T / Major Charles Edward Hudson DSO, MC, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of a sector of the front line for several days during an action, and organised and carried out the defence of the position under continuous and violent enemy shelling. It was entirely due to his organisation and personal supervision of the work that the line was able to resist heavy enemy counter-attacks. He showed splendid leadership and great energy and courage.


Charles Hudson was educated at Sherborne School, Dorset, and at Sandhurst, entering the Army in November 1914. Following his VC action with the 11th Battalion at Asiago, Western Italy, in June 1918, Hudson returned to Command the 2nd Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters in France and then Cologne. He was sent to Russia in April 1919 as Brigade Major to the Vlozda Force, North Russia, until 30 August 1920. Charles Hudson died on 4 April 1959, aged 66, at St Mary's, Scilly Isles, and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Denbury, near Newton Abbot, Devon.

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Iain Stewart, 4 June 2003