Casualties: Stretcher bearers bringing in a wounded man over muddy ground at Passchendaele. Canadian wounded being brought through the mud. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917. MIKAN No. 3397040

Private Thomas Chester Rudolph in the Great War

Home | Soldiers | Private Thomas Chester Rudolph in the Great War

Private Thomas Chester Rudolph born 30 November 1892, in Ellsworth, Pierce, Wisconsin. His father, Alexander Rudolf Jr, 41 and his mother, Sarah Jane Francis or Jenette Webster, 35 at this time.

Private Thomas Chester Rudolph 160859
Private Thomas Chester Rudolph 160859

Married to Lillian Daisy (Whymark) Rudolph living at Suite 4, Calhoun Block, 934 – 17th Ave West, Calgary. Also notify Mrs J D Bunny, Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

Enlistment of Private Thomas Chester Rudolph

Private Thomas Chester Rudolph 160859 attested 25 October 1915 in Calgary, Alberta with the 82nd Overseas Battalion. Standing 5′ 9″ tall, 175 pounds with dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.

Sick

La Grippe, Military Hospital, Calgary, 9 January 1916, later discharged on 24 January.

Pte Rudolph sailed 20 May 1916, and posted to 9th Reserve Battalion upon arrival in England. Following a summer of training, Pte Rudolph proceeds overseas.

France

Private Thomas Chester Rudolph entered the Western Front on 17 August 1916 with the 31st Battalion. However, Thomas sick upon arrival in Le Havre, and admitted to No 39 General Hospital, Le Havre.

Prize Platoon of 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion receiving Medals. May 1918. MIKAN No. 3522123 Private Thomas Chester Rudolph
Prize Platoon of 31st Canadian Infantry Battalion receiving Medals. May 1918. MIKAN No. 3522123

Hospitalized

Pte Rudolph admitted 19 March 1917, Le Havre, and later discharged to Reinforcements. Thomas spends considerable time ‘recovering’, and forfeits field allowance from 20 August 1916 to 19 March 1917.

Return to France

After a seven month abscence, Thomas finally rejoined the 31st Battalion on 15 September 1917, just in time for the Battle of Passchendaele.

Battle of Passchendaele

During the final push in the Second Battle of Passchendale, Private Thomas Rudolph wounded. GSW both arms (slight), and admitted to No 1 Western General Hospital, 12 November 1917.

Prussian Guards acting as stretcher-bearers. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917. Private Thomas Chester Rudolph
Prussian Guards acting as stretcher-bearers. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917.

To Military Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, 13 March 1918. Finally discharged on 31 May 1918 to the 21st Reserve Battalion. Pte Rudolph never returns to the Western Front.

5000 Canadians leaving Southampton on S.S. 'Olympic' on April 16th, 1919
5000 Canadians leaving Southampton on S.S. ‘Olympic’ on April 16th, 1919. MIKAN No 3523030

Demobilization

Pte Rudolph discharged from Overseas Service 18 November 1918. Returned to Canada on HS CARMANIA, 30 December 1918.

MIKAN No. 3523301 Private Thomas Chester Rudolph
Canadian troops returning to Canada in R.M.S. “Carmania”, 1919. MIKAN No. 3523301

Posted to Casualty Company upon arrival in Calgary, 4 January 1919. Private Thomas Chester Rudolph finally discharged from HM Service on 14 February 1919.

Thomas Chester Rudolph
Thomas Chester Rudolph photo courtesy Renae Burgess Linn

Thomas immigrated to Emerson, Chippewa, Michigan, United States in 1939. He died on 30 June 1970, in Calgary, and later buried in Calgary.

Gordon R. Pennell
Grave of Private Thomas Chester Rudolph photo by Gordon R. Pennell

Also surviving a daughter, Mrs Edward (Helen) Benner, of Calgary. Two sons, Frank, Camrose and Allan, Calgary. Six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Also a sister, Mrs Em Bonney in Wisconsin.

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