THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

HUDSON Murray Ken

H537931, Sergeant, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

CITATION

George Cross

Gazetted 11 October 1974, Supp 46371, p8809

On 13th February 1974 while supervising a live grenade practice, Sergeant Hudson suddenly became aware that the NCO in his grenade throwing bay

had accidentally, and perhaps unknowingly, armed the grenade he was about to throw. Sergeant Hudson immediately ordered the man to throw the

grenade, but there was no reaction. The Sergeant was then seen to quickly grasp the NCO's throwing hand in both his hands and attempt to throw the

grenade over the front parapet of the throwing bay. He was within inches of success when the grenade exploded killing both men.

As an experienced soldier, Sergeant Hudson would have realised immediately that once the grenade became armed there was less than four

seconds to detonation. While he must have been aware of the great risk involved he took no action to safeguard himself, but instead attempted to

dislodge the grenade from the NCO's hand and throw it over the parapet.

Sergeant Hudson displayed devotion to duty and courage of a very high order when, with a complete disregard for his own safety, he attempted to

save the life of a fellow soldier.

KNOWN AWARDS

George Cross

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

General Service Medal

Borneo

New Zealand General Service Medal

Malaya 1960-64

Queen's Vietnam Medal

Vietnam Star Medal

1960

NOTES

Born 24 February 1938, Opotiki, New Zealand

Died 13 February 1974, Waiouru, New Zealand

BIOGRAPHICAL

[Courtesy - http://www.vconline.org.uk/murray-k-hudson-gc/4589240057]

Murray “Kina” or “Huddy” Kenneth Hudson (1938-1974), known as Ken, was born on 24th February 1938 in Opotiki, New Zealand, the son of Tua and Piki Hudson. He was educated at Opotiki College before deciding to enlist in the New Zealand Army on 24th May 1961, aged 23. From then until 1963, he served in Malaya with the 1st Battalion, The New Zealand Regiment. In 1964, on arriving back home, he was promoted to Lance Corporal taking a number of courses including those of the SAS. After further training in parachuting and demolition, he was posted to Borneo as Operations Group Commander with the No 3 Detachment of 1 Ranger Squadron.

On his return to New Zealand, he was promoted to Temporary Sergeant in 1967 in Waiouru, which was later confirmed as a permanent promotion three years later. On 28th February 1969 he married Shona Martin and they had two children Cory and Luana. Tragically, she lost a third child she was expecting following Ken’s death.

Followiing his promotion, he was posted to Singapore and Vietnam until 1971. He then became Regimental Duties Sergeant of D Company of the 7th Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. On 13th February 1974 at Waiouru, Ken was supervising a live grenade practice when another NCO, Sergeant Graham Fergusson, accidently (and perhaps unknowingly) armed the grenade he was about to throw. Hudson ordered the man to throw the grenade immediately but there was no reaction. He then grasped Fergusson's throwing hand in both his hands and attempted to throw the grenade over the parapet of the throwing bay. He was within seconds of success when the grenade exploded, killing them both.

On 11th October 1974, the London Gazette published the announcement of a posthumous George Cross for Ken Hudson.