Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private E. D. Jude, Essex Regiment, died of wounds on 14 September 1914

1914 Star (7362 Pte. E. D. Jude. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (7362 Pte. E. D. Jude. Essex R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £100-140

Ernest David Jude was born in West Ham, London, in 1887, the son of David and Fannie Jude. He lived in Plaistow and was employed at The Post Office, Mark’s Lane, London EC, when he enlisted at Stratford on 21 October 1902 in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served with the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 August 1914, was wounded, and died of wounds on 14 September 1914 at Coulommiers Hospital. He is buried in Coulommiers Communal Cemetery, France.

By 31 August 1914, the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment were at Verberie, in the retreat from Mons. Casualties from 1 to 14 September 1914 amounted to 10 killed and 32 wounded. Between 1 and 6 September, the 2nd Battalion marched south from Verberie to Brie-compte-Robert, where reinforcements joined with Lieutenant Waugh. On 7 September, the Battalion began its advance to the Aisne via the Marne. It entered the village of La Ferte-sous-Jouarre (17km north of Coulommiers), which was cleared after hand-to-hand street fighting. On 13 September, at Venizel (some 90km north of Coulommiers), a shell landed amongst the Battalion, wounding Lieutenant Read and 8 men. Having crossed the Aisne, there were some further casualties from shelling as 2nd Battalion crossed the plain to Bucy-le-Long. Later, on 13 September, the Battalion provided covering fire for the Lancashire Fusiliers who were ordered to attack Chivres.