Rest In Peace Till We Meet again...
Gunner George Edward Ruddick Royal Artillery
1939-45 Star. Pacific Star. War Medal 1939-45.
The Man George Edward Ruddick was born on Wednesday 18th January 1905 in Wigton, Cumberland son of George James, a Colliery Pump Engineman, working below ground in a local coal mine and Annie Rachel nee Biglands. He was one of six children, Christina Jennie born in 1903, Joseph Henry (3rd March 1908 -), Elizabeth Ann (16th November 1911 - 1985), Rachel May (7th May 1919 - 1987) and James Paul E (30th December 1923 - 1988).
The 1911 census shows the family living at Cross Terrace, Blennerrhasset in Carlisle.
Nothing is known of George’s early years but the 1939 Register shows the family living at 8 South Street, Fletchertown, Allerdale, Wigton. George now aged 34 was not listed on the register as he had enlisted into the 6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery as a Gunner with service number 788969. He had most likely already been called up for service as the 6th HAA was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940, it was later evacuated from Dunkirk and George among those lucky to escape.
Following home defence duties, including during the Battle of Britan and the London Blitz, George married Ethel Grace Connar in Falmouth during the third quarter of 1941. They had no children and only a few weeks to enjoy their marriage as in September, the Regiment was ordered to prepare for embarkation for the Middle East, sailing on 14th November 1941 aboard the Monarch of Bermuda in Convoy WS12, bound for Iraq to join the build-up of AA defences for the oil terminal at Basra.
However, on 8th December, while the convoy was at Durban, the Japanese invaded Malaya shortly before attacking Pearl Harbor. On 11th December the convoy was split and the part containing 6th HAA Rgt (now aboard HM Transport Aorangi) was diverted to Singapore, arriving on 13th January 1942.
Following the surrender and fall of Singapore on 15th February 1942, George was taken as Prisoner of War by the Japanese. The survivors of 3 HAA Bty were first put into PoW camps in and around Changi Prison. A large number were then shipped to Saigon to work in the docks, airfields and rubber plantations. Later they were moved to work on the notorious Burma Railway on which many died, including around 60 from 6th HAA Rgt. It was whilst working on the railway that George succumbed to his harsh treatment and died of Acute Enteritis on 13th June 1943 aged 38 and buried.
George was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star and War Medal 1939-45 and later reinterred in plot No 8.F.63, at Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Ethel remarried in 1949 to Spencer M Cotter and passed away on 25th October 1992 in Cornwall.
The 1911 census shows the family living at Cross Terrace, Blennerrhasset in Carlisle.
Nothing is known of George’s early years but the 1939 Register shows the family living at 8 South Street, Fletchertown, Allerdale, Wigton. George now aged 34 was not listed on the register as he had enlisted into the 6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery as a Gunner with service number 788969. He had most likely already been called up for service as the 6th HAA was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940, it was later evacuated from Dunkirk and George among those lucky to escape.
Following home defence duties, including during the Battle of Britan and the London Blitz, George married Ethel Grace Connar in Falmouth during the third quarter of 1941. They had no children and only a few weeks to enjoy their marriage as in September, the Regiment was ordered to prepare for embarkation for the Middle East, sailing on 14th November 1941 aboard the Monarch of Bermuda in Convoy WS12, bound for Iraq to join the build-up of AA defences for the oil terminal at Basra.
However, on 8th December, while the convoy was at Durban, the Japanese invaded Malaya shortly before attacking Pearl Harbor. On 11th December the convoy was split and the part containing 6th HAA Rgt (now aboard HM Transport Aorangi) was diverted to Singapore, arriving on 13th January 1942.
Following the surrender and fall of Singapore on 15th February 1942, George was taken as Prisoner of War by the Japanese. The survivors of 3 HAA Bty were first put into PoW camps in and around Changi Prison. A large number were then shipped to Saigon to work in the docks, airfields and rubber plantations. Later they were moved to work on the notorious Burma Railway on which many died, including around 60 from 6th HAA Rgt. It was whilst working on the railway that George succumbed to his harsh treatment and died of Acute Enteritis on 13th June 1943 aged 38 and buried.
George was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star and War Medal 1939-45 and later reinterred in plot No 8.F.63, at Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Ethel remarried in 1949 to Spencer M Cotter and passed away on 25th October 1992 in Cornwall.
The Story The medals awarded posthumously to George Edward Ruddick were acquired from Noonans at their auction on 13th September 2023. They were of interest because of the fact they sit within a sub-theme of this collection, soldiers who perished whilst working on the Burma Railway.
The group were seen whilst in Thailand and were an immediate ‘must have’. Coincidentally there was a Dutch organised VJ Day service to be held in Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery on 15th August 2023. The opportunity was taken to visit George’s grave and place a poppy cross, in anticipation of becoming the custodian of his memory and awards.
As with all those in this collection buried in The Orient, it is likely this was the first time his grave had been specifically visited – so poignant.
Ancestry.UK enabled a brief biography to be compiled and George’s name remembered for posterity. Such a sad story for one who survived Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain and the London Blitz.
The group were seen whilst in Thailand and were an immediate ‘must have’. Coincidentally there was a Dutch organised VJ Day service to be held in Don Rak Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery on 15th August 2023. The opportunity was taken to visit George’s grave and place a poppy cross, in anticipation of becoming the custodian of his memory and awards.
As with all those in this collection buried in The Orient, it is likely this was the first time his grave had been specifically visited – so poignant.
Ancestry.UK enabled a brief biography to be compiled and George’s name remembered for posterity. Such a sad story for one who survived Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain and the London Blitz.
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Medal award and condolence certificate.
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Don Rak, Kanchanaburi Commonwealth War Grave Cemeterey, Thailand. 14th August 2023.
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George's parents, George James and Annie Rachel Ruddicxk
George Edward RUDDICK is one of 26 soldiers in this collection who perished whilst working on the Burma Railaway and whose final resting place is Kanchanaburi or Chungkai Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Thailand or Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Click on each name to read about:
- John AXON
- Thomas BURNS
- William James Johnstone BYERS
- Walter Richard COLBERT
- Percy Denis CORNWELL
- Joseph DUCKWORTH
- Harold Edward EKE
- Kenneth Robert EYLAND
- Charles Nevil Worton FOX
- Denys John HYDE
- George Sidney JOHNSON
- Charles Roger LLOYD
- Stanley Richard LOVEDAY
- Myles McMANUS
- Raymond Ernest MADGETT
- Alfred Arthur MANNING
- John MARKS
- Horace Edgar MAXWELL
- James Gordon MITCHELL
- Edward John PHILLIPS
- Kenneth William SHIPP
- Harold Norman SPALDING
- Alfred Henry STEVENS
- Walter Leonard TAYLOR
- Henry Garnsey VEITCH
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Pacific Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
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This page last updated 6 Oct 23
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