by James | Sep 27, 2016 | Remembrance
Today we remember Kirkby underwood man, Bertie Rudkin who gave his life in the Great War 100 years ago in 1916.
Bertie Rudkin was born in Morton in 1893 to Henry James Rudkin, a wagoner and his wife Mary Ann Wrighton.
Bertie was one of 7 children and the family moved from Morton to Witham on the Hill, Corby Glen and then on to Swinsted. Later the family settled at Kirkby Underwood.
Bertie can be found on the 1911 census was living with the Cook family in Swinsted and working as a wagoner on a farm.
He enlisted, along with his brother, Ernest, and joined the 1st Lincolnshire regiment.
During the week of the 23rd September, the battalion had been encamped near Fricourt and were called into action on the 25th September to be part of an attack. That day the battalion lost 21 men with 127 wounded and 16 missing in action.
On the 27th September Bertie Rudkin died of wounds and is buried at Etaples Military cemetery.
Etaples was the site of the final military hospital before being shipped back to England, it can be assumed that he died of wounds attained in the earlier fighting with his battalion but never made it back as far as being evacuated back to England.
Bertie is commemorated on the stained glass window at Kirkby Underwood Parish Church as well as the memorial plaque in the church.
Photograph courtesy of Lincolnshire Free Press
by James | Jan 2, 2015 | Biography
Birth
Name:
Richard Christian
Date of birth:
1884
Date of Birth registration:
Oct-Dec 1884
Place of Birth Registration:
Bourne, Lincolnshire, England
Occupation: Thrashing Machine Driver, Horseman on Farm
Marriage
Wife’s Name:
Kate Maples
Date of Marriage:
Oct-Dec 1913
Place of Marriage:
Bourne District
Wife’s Date of birth:
1889
Wife’s Place of Birth:
Billiingborough
Wife’s father:
Edward Maples
Wife’s Mother:
Elizabeth Francis
Children, (Name), (DOB), (POB):
Harold Christian, Apr-Jun 1914, Bourne District
Ida M Christian, Apr-Jun 1915, Bourne District
Phyllis M Christian, Jan-Mar 1917 Bourne District
Kate Christian, Oct-Dec 1918 Bourne District
Family
Father’s Name:
Robert Christian
Father’s DOB:
1850
Father’s Place of Birth:
Kirkby Underwood, Lincolnshire, England
Father’s Occupation:
Bricklayer
Mother’s Name:
Elizabeth Marshall
Mother’s DOB:
1852
Mothers POB:
Kirkby Underwood, Lincolnshire, England
Mother’s Occupation:
Their Marriage:
1874 Bourne District
Siblings: (Name), (DOB), (POB)
Lucy Christian, 1874, Kirkby Underwood
Sarah Christian, 1877, Kirkby Underwood
Arthur Christian, 1880, Kirkby Underwood
Fred Christian, 1881, Kirkby Underwood
Lizzie Christian, 1883, Kirkby Underwood
Richard Christian, 1884, Kirkby Underwood
Ernest Christian, 1889, Kirkby Underwood
Charles Christian, 1891, Kirkby Underwood
Ethel Ann Christian, 1893, Kirkby Underwood
Harold Christian, 1895, Kirkby Underwood
1891 Census:
Richard is living with his parents in Kirkby Underwood
1901 Census:
Richard is living in Swinstead with Rudkin Family as a Boarder. The census gives him an age of 16 and he is listed as an agricultural horseman on farm.
1911 Census
Richard is living with his mother in Kirkby Underwood.
Richard died in England on the 22nd November 1918, 11 days after the end of the war. Rather than an act of war Richard was the victim of a family tragedy. On the 19th November Richard and Kate became parents for the 4th time when baby Kate was born. Only 3 days later both Richard and his wife Kate died within hours of each other of acute influenza (Spanish Flu being rife at the time) and baby Kate eventually died on the 29th November.
Relatives in services:
Newspaper Mentions
Grantham Journal Saturday 22nd November 1919
Kirkby Underwood
War Memorial Unveiled and Dedicated – Sunday last will live in the memory of all the parishioners and many interested in this little village. The Church services commenced with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m., followed by matins and sermon at 11 a.m. The special service was at three o’clock and every seat in the church was occupied. Prayers suitable for the occasion were offered by the rector, Rev J.S. Barstow, the special lesson being read by Mr. Wm. Dyson of Bulby Hall, who proceeded after the singing of the hymn, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” to unveil the beautiful stained glass window, which during the week had been fixed in the east end of the Church. It was then solemnly dedicated by the Rev. Canon Layng – To the Glory of God, and in grateful memory of Bertie Evelyn Rudkin, Ernest Henry Rudkin, Richard Christian and John Thomas Wyer, and as a thankoffering for peace and victory. Mr. Dyson standing on the chancel steps then spoke a few words, which appealed to his hearers. Referring to the long connection of his family with the Church and district, and to the happy days spent in the neighbourhood, he expressed the regret felt by all of them at the coming severance, but trusted that the Church would continue to progress, and believed that the rector, who had served in the late war, was particularly fitted to help and sympathise with his people I their joys and sorrow . The window he regarded as the most beautiful war memorial and he was highly pleased with it. A few well-chosen, comforting words were addressed to the parents and relatives of the fallen, reference being made to the powers given to the laity by the Enabling Bill, and all were urged to work for the Church, rather than for this or that particular incumbent; and lastly referring to the present industrial unrest, he expressed his confidence that the good sense and judgment of the people would prevail and all classes work together for the general good. The Hymn, “For All The Saints” was feelingly sung, and the memorable service concluded by the “Last Post” sounded by Sergt. Pattinson of Bourne. In the evening, a memorial service was held in the honour of the fallen. The Rector took as his text the words inscribed on the window, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” He clearly explained the idea underlying the window, and connecting the various figures on it, and its special appropriateness to the Church and as a memorial.. A Glowing tribute was paid to the courage and unselfishness of those who had given their lives that we may live, and for King and Country, and words of sympathy and hope addressed particularly to the mourners present, as one who was a mourner himself a mourner. The Late Rector, the Rev. W.H. Langworthy (The present rector of Claypole) organized the idea of the window as a war memorial, and worked hard for its accomplishment, but was unable to be present at the dedication.
Military Records
Attestation Papers:
Available for 1902 for the Lincolnshire Regiment
WW1 Soldier’s Records:
Soldier’s Died In The Great War:
Not found
Pension Records:
Not yet available
Medals
Medal Card Index:
Richard’s medal card index states that he was eligible for the following medals:-
The British Medal
The Victory Medal
Memorials
UK:
Kirkby Underwood, plaque in St Mary and All Saints Church
Kirkby Underwood, Names on the stained glass window in St Mary and All Saints Church
Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
In Memory of Private R Christian, 61814, Durham Light Infantry who died on 22 November 1918 Age 34
Son of Elizabeth Christian, of Kirkby Underwood, Lincs and the late Robert Christian; husband of the late Kate Christian
Remembered with Honour, Billingborough (St Andrews) Churchyard
More information:
Military Service Timeline
Richard attested to the militia of the 4th Lincolnshire Regiment on the 22nd May 1902 and was living in Billingborough.
Richard drilled with the 4th Battalion Lincolnshire regiment until April 1908 when he was discharged when the Territorial and Reserve Forces act disbanded the volunteer and militia units and placed the men on regular army reserve.
Richard joined the Durham Light Infantry (61814) during the war although the date is not known.
He was later transferred to the 409th Company of the labour Corps with a change of regimental number to 19310. The 409th company was known as the Kesteven and Lindsay company which was based at Lincoln. The labour Corps traditionally took men who were wounded and then classed as less than A1 fitness and this would indicate that Richard was either wounded or, at the age of 34 not fit for front line service.
Men of the labour corps were traditionally commemorated by the CWGC under their original regiment and number.
Richard died in England on the 22nd November 1918, 11 days after the end of the war. Rather than an act of war Richard was the victim of a family tragedy. On the 19th November Richard and Kate became parents for the 4th time when baby Kate was born. Only 3 days later both Richard and his wife Kate died within hours of each other of acute influenza (Spanish Flu being rife at the time) and baby Kate eventually died on the 29th November.
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