| The History of Coagh booklet lists Private James Hudson as having served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the war.
|
|
| James Hudson was the youngest son of James and Jane Hudson. James Hudson and Jane Cochrane were married on 16th April 1884 in the district of Magherafelt.
|
| James Hudson was born about 1895.
|
| Known family: James Hudson, Jane Hudson, Sarah Hudson (born 22nd November 1885), Margaret Hudson (born 14th June 1887, Bellaghy), Robert Hudson (born 4th October 1888, Bellaghy), Mary Hudson (born 14th March 1891, Magherafelt), Annie Hudson (born 14th October 1892, Bellaghy), James Hudson (born about 1895), Bella Hudson (born 22nd May 1898, Coagh).
|
| The family moved around the Magherafelt area, but by 1898 had settled in Coagh.
|
| The 1901 census lists James age 6 living with the family at house 32 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. His father was a labourer.
|
| The 1911 census does not list James as living with the family at house 29 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. There is a possible listing of James, age 16, a servant at house 7 in Ballyneil Beg, The Loop, County Londonderry.
|
| 1915
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th April 1915: Coagh
|
|
| The local Ulster Volunteers held a route march on Easter Monday to Springhill. The men, who wore side arms and carried rifles, were in charge of Corporal W T Mitchell, who was on furlough from Randalstown Camp, and Mr Hugh Duff, company commander. They returned home early, and in the evening they held a reception in the Orange Hall in honour of the soldiers in their ranks who had joined Kitchener’s Army and at present were at home in Coagh for their Easter holidays. Dancing was begun about 8 o’clock, the music being supplied by Messrs McCullagh and Hamilton, Tamlaghtmore. Mr Joseph Mitchell kindly acted as M.C. At eleven o’clock tea was served by Miss Violet Ashcroft, Miss Selina McKnight and the Misses Hagan, Coagh, assisted by Mr A Ashcroft and Mr H Shuter. The following contributed largely to the musical programme – Corporal William Mitchell, William Charleton, Joseph Mitchell, Thompson Marks, George Hagan, Thomas McKnight and William Rankin. A vote of thanks to the tea makers and all those who helped make the night a success, was proposed by Mr Thomas Young, seconded by Private James Hudson, and passed. The proceedings concluded by the singing of God Save the King.
|
| 1916
|
| Private James Hudson served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the war. It is believed he went to the front early in 1916.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th February 1916: for the Glory of Coagh
|
|
| Private E McGuckin, No 3 Company, 9th Inniskillings, writes from the Front:-
|
| ‘Just a few lines from a few of the Knuts from Coagh, serving abroad with the 9th Inniskillings. There are a good number of us here, and we are all in the best of form. We are at present behind the firing line resting, wearing away the effects of our Christmas dinner, which upset the whole Battalion for quite a long time. We expect to get back to the trenches again shortly, and I can tell you we will show the Huns what Coagh can do. Our section is in charge of Corporal Mitchell, and it includes such well-known local men as Johnny McMullan, Robert Sands and James Hudson, and they are all waiting for the day to charge the Hun trenches and bring glory to Coagh. James Hudson is complaining to the billet right now, in very strong language, about those who still refuse to do their duty. We hope when they see this in the paper, and see how happy we are, they will at once dawn the khaki. I will close now, wishing every success to the good old ‘Mid’, which is eagerly looked for here every week.‘
|
| A report from the Mid Ulster Mail from April 1916 refers to ‘Barbed Wire Hudson’ from Coagh. It is not known whether this refers to James or his brother Robert. Because Robert served with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, it is more like to be James.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th April 1916: Coagh Soldiers at the Front
|
|
| Private Edward McGuckin, a native of Coagh, in a letter to the Mail dated 22nd March, says that all the Coagh boys are well and in good fighting form, although they have been constantly in the trenches for the past eight weeks. They are well accustomed to jack Johnstons, whizz bangs, trench mortars, and such other scrap as the ‘Germhuns’ treat them to. Private John McMullan is going strong, so strong in fact that he has been nicknamed the ‘whizz bang’. Other Coagh boys are known as ‘Rifle Grenade Sands’, ‘Trench Mortar Currie’ and ‘Barbed Wire Hudson’. Another chum from Aughnacloy, and well known in Coagh, is George Marshall. As the letter was been written he was singing mournfully in the dugout ‘I want to go home’, but his comrades know well that he does not want any such thing, at least until he sees the Huns in final retreat homewards. They had the din of guns instead of drums on Patrick’s Day. They were all glad to see that Constables Howe and Ryan had joined the colours, and wish them the best of luck. Sands and Hudson feel rather sore about some recent marriages, and fear there won’t be any Coagh girls (left) when they return victoriously home. The writer concludes by wishing the good old ‘Mid’ every success.
|
| Private Hudson was injured at the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
|
| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th July 1916:
|
|
| Private James Hudson, Coagh, wounded
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th July 1916:
|
|
| Private James Hudson, wounded, son of Mr James Hudson, Coagh.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th November 1916:
|
|
| Privates James Phelan and James Hudson, of Coagh, of the Inniskillings, are at home on furlough; while Private William J Corr, also of the Inniskillings, has just returned to Finner Camp after spending ten days with his parents at Drumads. Although twice wounded, ‘in the right arm at Guillemont, and in the leg in a recent battle’. He is in good health and spirits, and speaks well of the treatment he received in hospital in Framce. He says his regiment didn’t dig trenches, but waited till the Germans had them dug and took them. He hopes to be soon back in the war zone again for another ‘go’ at the Germans.
|
| Private Hudson recovered and returned to the front.
|
| 1918
|
| Private James Hudson was home on leave in February 1918.
|
| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd February 1918: Coagh
|
|
| Private James Hudson is home on leave. Prior to enlisting he was farming, but he joined, and has been over two years at the front, and has been is several hot engagements. It is over a year since he had leave. He is feeling in the best of health and spirits. His brother, Private Bob Hudson, is in the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.
|
 |
