BORN BRIDLINGTON 1888. ONLY SON OF JOHN ROBERT RUDDERFORTH (1863-1937) AND ALICE E. SUNLEY (1868-1947), OF 57 BROOKLAND ROAD, BRIDLINGTON. HE HAD ONE SISTER CALLED ELIZA. HE MARRIED ON 26/08/1911, IN BRIDLINGTON. HIS WIFE, ANN ELLEN STEPHENSON (1890-1945), LIVED AT 6 CEDAR GROVE, EXCHANGE STREET, HULL, WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN, EVERLYN AND ERIC.
A FORMER PAINTER. HE ENLISTED AT BEVERLEY, ON 20/01/1915. FORMERLY, PRIVATE, 19756, YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. TRANSFERRED TO THE 1ST EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT 5 INCHES TALL, 144 LBS, 35 INCH CHEST. POSTED FRANCE 09/06/1916. KILLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME. HE HAD SERVED ONE YEAR AND 163 DAYS. HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND AND HE IS COMMEMORATED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL TO THE MISSING. HIS WIFE WAS AWARDED A WEEKLY WAR PENSION OF 18 SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE FOR HERSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. SHE MOVED TO 75, EASTBOURNE STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION ADDRESS).
NOTE: R RUDDIFORTH (EYR) & DRIVER, RUDDIFORTH, RFA ARE ALSO LISTED ON HULL’S EXCHANGE STREET MEMORIAL.
