Gunner Willard Richard Dawson MM
L/9153 Royal Field Artillery, 31st Divisional Ammunition Column
attached to X/31st, Medium Trench Mortar Battery
Lived at 3 Altham Street, Padiham

One of three brothers Henry, Thomas, Willard

MM London Gazette 6th January 1917

Willard Richard Hudson (9153) was awarded the Military Medal and Ribbon for ‘ distinguished conduct’ on 22.10.1915 when he was shot in the chest/shoulder and ‘buried up to the neck in a shell hole’ during battle, he was taken back to England where he recovered at the Handley Convalescent Home in Worcester.
He was then sent to the Balkans and I have no further details except he did return home to his wife and child, 3 Altham Street, Padiham.

(Courtesy of his relative Christine Peirce)

Born on the 14 May 1893. Enlisted on the 5 April 1915 and proceeded to France on the 4 April 1916, posted to the 31st Divisional Ammunition Column. After a short course at the Trench mortar School he was posted to X/31st Trench mortar Battery and whilst serving with this unit he suffered a gun shot wound to the chest on the 22 October 1916 and returned to the U.K. on board the Hospital Ship, St. David. On recovery he embarked from the U.K. on the 23 January 1917 and was posted to the 67th South African Divisional Ammunition Column in the Balkans (Salonika) where he disembarked on the 3 February 1917. Discharged to the reserve on the 21 April 1919. Died May 1969.