Name
Dudley George Wilshaw
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/09/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1988
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 18.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church Memorial, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Albans Cathedral
Pre War
Dudley (known as 'Dud' to his friends) was born on the 3rd of November 1894 in Waltham Cross as the only son of George and Ada Wilshaw, and went to Holt House School in Cheshunt.
He pursued a career in agriculture, and was receiving training at the farms of Messrs. P & G Oyler at the outbreak of war. Living with his parents George (Accountant) and Ada at Queen Anne Villa in Waltham Cross at the outbreak of war.
Wartime Service
Dud joined the Herts Yeomanry in August 1914 and trained at Hertford for 10 months, where he suffered from measles when in barracks and later from diphtheria at Gallon Hill. He volunteered for foreign service in June 1915 and was sent to the 1st Division in Egypt in July 1915. From there he proceeded to the Dardanelles and took part in the attacks on Chocolate Hill. He was sent to the hospital in Alexandria on the 9th of September and died of dysentery onboard H.M. Hospital Ship Ghoorka on the 29th.
In a letter of condolence to his parents his old employers Messrs. Oyler wrote:
"We shall never forget him or his kind ways during the years he was with us at the farms. He never caused a cross word, but was hardworking, one of Nature's gentlemen, so that our remembrances of him are pleasant, as are those of all the men who worked with him and under Dudley, or 'Dud' as everybody knew him."
The College Principal wrote:
"There was no need for me to be told that a youngster who played such a bold and dashing game of footer as he did at school, joined promptly; I knew it without hearing it. You have the proud knowledge that your dear boy met his end in doing the right, and brave and honourable thing. You will have the honest pride that 'Dud' offered his life freely, in the service of old England."
Additional Information
Dudley is also commemorated on his father's headstone in Cheshunt Burial Ground. His part of the inscription reads:
DUDLEY GEORGE WILSHAW 1ST. HERTS YEOMANRY WHO DIED ON BOARD SS GOORKHA(?) LORCA SEPT 29. 1915
TRAVELLING(?) FROM THE DARDANELLES xx? WAS BURIED AT SEA AGED 20 YEARS
HE DIED THE NOBLEST DEATH A MAN MAY DIE FIGHTING FOR GOD AND RIGHT AND LIBERTY AND SUCH A DEATH IS IMMORTALITY
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Jonty Wild
