Lance/Corporal Simon Gudgeon.
19076 1st East Lancashire Regiment.
Missing in Action 1st July 1916, aged 33.
Simon Gudgeon was born 30 Jan 1883,Burnley and Christened 13 May. The son of Rodolphus Gudgeon & Martha Walsh of 87 Burns Street. In the 1891 census the family lived at 58 Lindsey St, Burnley. Rodolphus 36 weaver born in Blackburn, Mary 29 born in Darwen, Margaret 9, Simon 8, John 2 and James 4 months. Lydia Walsh, Mary’s sister was also living with them All the children were born in Burnley.
In the 1901 census still living at 58 Lindsay Street , Rodolphus (46) weaver, Martha (39), Martha H. (19) weaver, Simon (18) slater (roofing), John E. (12) cotton weaver, James 10, Alexandra (7), Esther (5), and Elizabeth A. (2)
Simon married Alice Morris on the 30th Jan 1904 (Simon’s birthday) at St Peter’s Church. Simon Gudgeon aged 21 bachelor, slater, of 70 Lindsay Street, son of Rodolphus Gudgeon, weaver married Alice Morris, aged 24 spinster, winder, of 12 Estcourt Street daughter of Edward Morris, Engineer. Witnesses were Robert Roylance, Martha Hannah Gudgeon and A J Gaskell.
In the 1911 census Simon (28) and Alice (32) were living at 10 Forest St(?), Burnley along with their two children Esther (1) and Rodolphus 11 months.
From the Burnley Express of August 23rd 1916:
“Mrs Gudgeon of 87 Burns Street, Burnley has been officially informed that her husband, Lce.-Corpl. Simon Gudgeon (19076) of the East Lancashire Regiment has been listed as “missing” from July 1st. Corpl. Gudgeon who is 33years of age was a slater with Messrs Hawk and Barnes of Every Street and enlisted on 23rd February and went out to the Front a fortnight after Burnley Fair last year. He was connected with St Peter’s Church. He leaves a widow and 4 children and has 2 brothers serving with the forces - James Thomas with the Army Service Corps and John Ellis with the Royal Field Artillery.”
From the Burnley Express dated 28th Aug 1916: BURNLEY SLATER KILLED.
Mrs Gudgeon of 7 Dane Street Burnley, formerly of 87 Burns Street, has been officially informed that her husband Lance Corporal Simon Gudgeon 19076, of the first East Lancashire Regiment is reported killed in action on July 1st last, after being reported missing. Lance Corporal Gudgeon who was 33 years of age was a Slater with Messrs’ Hawkes and Barnes of Every Street and enlisted on February 23rd 1915. He went out to the front a fortnight after Burnley Fair of 1915. He was connected with St Peter's Church. His two brothers are with the forces:- James Thomas being with the ASC and John Ellis with the RFA. Mrs Gudgeon is left with 4 children.
Lived at 87 Burns Street. Son of Rodolphus and Martha Gudgeon; husband of Alice Gudgeon, of 7, Dane St., Burnley.
Simon left his effects to his widow Alice.
Simon is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France:Pier and Face 6C.
Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024