Reginald Tudge was born on the 21st August 1897 and entered Cowleigh Mixed School in January 1905. He studied there until he left for work in August 1911. He was called up for service in the Worcestershire Regiment in September 1916 and was quickly transferred to the 106th Coy, Machine Gun Corps. He embarked with this Company from Folkestone on the 2nd March 1917 and disembarked at Boulogne on the same day. He suffered a bout of trench fever at the end of March and again in May. He rejoined the unit on the 11th August and was killed in action less than three weeks later.

Reginald had four brothers and three sisters. At the time of his death, the eldest, Bert lived in Abergavenny; Walter Henry, living on Newtown Road served with the 2nd Worcesters and was wounded in September 1917 and again in April 1918; Fred, also lived in Wales, and Harold and Laurence still lived at home. His sisters Emily, Ethel and Millie all lived on Albion Terrace.

The Malvern News reported the award of Walter Henry’s Military Medal: “L/Cpl W H Tudge, has been awarded the MM, he is the son of Mr Walter Tudge of Belmont. He attended Cowleigh School and was a member of the school rifle club.”

Soldier's Papers PRO:WO363
Malvern News 4/8/17