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VC Action

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29 Sep 1881, Wharehine, N.Z.

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26 Aug 1972, Auckland, N.Z. 

 

New Zealand Expeditionary Force 1915-19
New Zealand Army 1919-37
New Zealand Home Guard 1939-46

 

Oct 15

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1919

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New Zealand Rifle Brigade (1915-16)
1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment (1916-19  VC)
New Zealand Staff Corps (1920-37)
Home Front (1939-46)

 

26 Aug 1918, Bapaume, France

 

Sergeant

 

Major

 

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
Military Medal (MM)

MINI BIO

 

Born into a farming family, Reginald was educated at Port Albert and after completing a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, he worked as a boilermaker and engineer.
In 1905 he married Ethel Grice.  The couple had four children.
At enlistment, he gave his occupation as bootmaker.  Embarking Jan 16 with the NZ Rifle Brigade, in Feb was transferred to 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment.
15 Sep 16 was seriously wounded and evacuated to England where he spent nearly two years recovering from his injuries.
June 1918, now a sergeant, he returned to the battalion.  Over a four week period he was to receive a VC, DCM and MM.
Gassed in September, he returned to England to recover.  After officer training was commissioned Second Lieutenant.  After discharge, Jan 19, he opted to remain in the NZ Military Forces, joining the NZ Staff Corps.
His health was fragile due to his war wounds and he retired in 1937 a Captain.
Divorced in 1920, 8 years later he married Kate Wilson and had a 5th child.
He found employment difficult due to his health.  He became a City councillor and attempted to enter politics.
Following the outbreak of the Second World War, he volunteered for military service.  He served on the home front, commanding the Guards Vital Points Battalion in Auckland. Reginald retired from the military in Sep 1946 a Major.
One of his sons, Reginald, served with the 24th Battalion as a chaplain and was awarded the Military Cross during the Italian Campaign.
Judson moved to Mangonui, Northland and took up farming. He was also community minded, and served as a justice of the peace as well as being a coroner.

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LONDON GAZETTE

No. 30982

30 October 1918

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For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, in an attack on enemy positions, he led a small bombing party under heavy fire and captured an enemy machine-gun. He then proceeded up the sap alone, bombing three machine-gun crews before him. Jumping out of the trench he ran ahead of the enemy. Then, standing on the parapet, he ordered the party, consisting of two officers and about ten men, to surrender. They instantly fired on him, but he threw a bomb and jumped down amongst them, killed two, and put the rest to flight, and so captured two machine-guns. This prompt and gallant action not only saved many lives, but also enabled the advance to be continued unopposed.