Edward James Rudd was born on 6th February 1894 in Old Ford, Bethnal Green, London. He was a French polisher by trade. He enlisted on 5th February 1917 and joined the 2nd Platoon 'A' Company of the 2/10 London Regiment, also known as the 'Hackney Gurkhas'. Edward was a 'Runner' and his job was to maintain communications by carrying messages onto the battlefield in the days before portable radios. Edward would have been continually exposed to artillery and machine gun fire while carrying out this role. Major General Albermarle Bertie Edward Cator mentioned Edward in Despatches for his' bravery, determination and devotion to duty' when he kept communication lines open under heavy artillery fire on 24th September 1917 on the Ypres Front – The Battle of the Menin Road. Edward was killed on 24th August 1918 during the Sailly-Laurette operation. He is buried in Bray Vale British Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme. His family will always remember Edward with love and pride.

Patricia Cook