Hudson, Norman George
3061 Private Norman Geoge Hudson - 4th Division Train AIF
Norman George Hudson was born in Camperdown Victoria on the 22nd December 1890 to Annie and Charles Hudson, being one of thirteen siblings.
He grew up and was educated in Victoria and after leaving school Norman took up an apprenticeship as a Wheelwright. This apprenticeship was of seven years duration.
His mother was living at 14 Hampton Road Fremantle (later renumbered to 4 Hampton) but prior to his enlistment, Norman was in Canning Road East Fremantle.
On the 24th February 1916 Norman enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 7 & 1/2 inches tall;
Weight - 140lbs;
Chest Measurement - 34 inches;
Complexion - Medium;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Light Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment Norman was sent to Belmont Army Camp. He was originally assigned to the 21st Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion and trained with them for a few months but was then transferred to the 7th Reinforcements to the 5th Pioneer Battalion. He was given the rank of Acting Sergeant for Training purposes.
On the 9th November 1916, Norman and his group entrained to Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Argyllshire and set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 10th January 1917.
On Arriving the men were disembarked and sent to the Pioneer Training Battalion at Larkhill Camp. On arrival Norman lost his temporary rank of Sergeant and reverted to Private.
Norman trained at the Pioneers Camp till May 1917 but was then transferred to the Australian Army Service Corps Camp at Parkhouse. He was then trained here for the next five months. On the 27th November 1917 Norman was sent to France and was sent to the Base Depot Camp at Le Havre.
It appears that Norman was now attached to the Divisional Train Base Depot Camp where his pre war work as a Wheelwright came in very useful. He was working here through to October 1918 when he was sent to the 27th Company AASC of the 4th Australian Division Train. Norman was given the rank of Driver. He was with them when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918 and served with them through to the 4th April 1919.
He was then returned to England and Norman was now granted a period of Non Military Employment. This would take place from the 11th April till the 11th July 1919 at the Sunderland Ship Building Company at the South Dock Sunderland. Norman wanted to gain experience in Ship's carpentry and furnishings.
After this employment was over Norman returned to the AIF Camp at Sutton Veny where he would remain while waiting to hear about being assigned a berth on a troopship home.
On the 3rd September 1919 Norman boarded the transport ship Barambah and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 17th October 1919. Norman was then discharged from the AIF on the 20th December 1919.
After returning from the war Norman moved to 79 Fitzgerald Terrace Fremantle (later renamed Marine Tce) During this time Norm was working as a Carpenter.
By the late 1920's Norm had moved for a time to Byford for a few years where he was working as a farmer but then returned to Fremantle.
In 1939 in Fremantle Norman married Ada Eliza Miller. They were living at 115 Holland Street Fremantle. (later renamed to 14 Onslow Street)
In World War Two Norman offered his services again and was accepted for home service with the Australian Army. He was given the service number W27580. Norman would serve in the 5th Garrison Battalion on Rottnest Island, Fremantle and Swanbourne areas before being transferred to the Transport Company of the AASC. His service ran from 1941 to 1943 when he was discharged.
His mother Annie died at his house in Holland Street Fremantle in 1943 aged 97.
Norman Died on the 28th August 1955 aged 70 in Davis Park Beaconsfield. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A6 0074.