WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following content contains a photograph and information about a family member who was killed. We recommend proceeding with care.

On 5 November 1916, James and Catherine’s son Roderick Hamilton Budsworth, was Killed In Action during the Battle of the Somme at the first day of the attack on Flers, France, at the age of 38.

As detailed above, Roderick was born in 1878, James and Catherine’s 9th child and 4th son. Roderick was schooled at Tamworth Public School, and worked as a brick maker.

On 15 March 1899, Budworth has a photograph in relation to a criminal conviction in Maitland. This states:

Native place: Coonabarabran
Year of birth: 1879
Trade or occupation: Labourer
Religion: Roman Catholic
Education, degree of: Read + Write
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Weight in lbs: 128
Colour of hair: Dark
Colour of eyes: Brown
Previous convictions: 23 June 1898 Stealing, 22 February 1899 Stealing in a Dwelling

On 30 April 1912, Roderick was recorded in the Tamworth Daily Observer on page 2 as being charged with having behaved in a riotous manner:

“At the Tamworth Police Court yesterday morning, before M. O. A. Edwards, P.M., Roderick Hamilton Budsworth was charged with having behaved in a riotous manner in the hall of the Exchange Hotel, Tamworth, on April 27. Defendant said he would plead guilty to having committed the offence, which was committed under great provocation. Constable Condon said that on the night of the 27th inst., at about 9.30 the accused Budsworth was fighting in the hall of the Exchange Hotel, Peel-street, with some man unknown to him (witness). He, the accused, knocked a man down. He then arrested Budsworth. Witness was interfered with by a man named Sullivan. Budsworth was fired 10P: if default, three days hard labour.

On 22 December 1915, Roderick enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for World War I at Armidale, NSW at 37 years old, and joined the 1st Battalion.

On 4 May 1916, Roderick embarked from Sydney, NSW, on board His Majesty’s Australian Transport (HMAT) Ship A74 Marathon. “Sydney residents lined the streets to farewell the men as they marched from the Showground for embarkation. At the wharf many coloured streamers were thrown to the men on board ship.”. The Marathon traveled to Albany, Western Australia, Durban, South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Dakar and Sengeal, arriving in Plymouth, England, in July 1916.

On 5 November 1916, Roderick was Killed In Action during the Battle of the Somme at the first day of the attack on Flers, France. On this day, heavy rains had resulted in “atrocious conditions” and “cloying mind”, resulting in the ANZAC forces being “easy targets for German machine-gunners and rifleman”.

The Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files, 1914-18 War information about Roderick is shown below:

-Private Enright W. B. “We were in the front line at Fleurs, about 2 miles from Paupaume on Nov 5th’16, and made an attack on the enemy. Budsworth was in the first wave, and while we were walking along the Sunken Rd., a body rolled down the bank. I went to see who it was, and found it was Budsworth. I examined him, but he was quite dead… Hgt 5ft8. Dark complexion. Age 30 or. Small moustache.”

-Private Enwright W. B. “I saw 8a Pte Budsworth a few seconds after he had been killed by machine gun bullet thus was in an attack at Flers in No Man’s Land on 5th November 1916. I am certain that it was he for I had a good look at him before moving forward.”

-Private W. B. Enright “I saw Budsworth dead on the 5th Nov., ’16 about 2 a.m. We had just gone over the top when I stumbled across the body of Budsworth. He seemed to be quite dead but I had no time to see what had been the cause of death. He was killed during the attack at Flers on the 5th Nov. I knew him well.” “Age about 30, height 5’7”, dark, medium build.

On 22 January 1918, Roderick’s death was announced by the Sydney Morning Herald on page 8:

The Australian Imperial Force Project at the University of New South Wales, Canberra, has recorded significant details about Roderick including:

Regimental number18
Place of birthCoonamble New South Wales
SchoolDistrict Public School, Tamworth, New South Wales
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationBrick maker
AddressPeel Street, West Tamworth, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Place of burialCaterpiller Valley Cemetery (Plot XXI, Row F, Grave No. 10), Longueval, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial		28
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records		Parents: James and Katherine BUDSWORTH, Peel Street, West Tamworth, New SOuth Wales. Born in New South Wales
Family/military connectionsCousin: W I HAMILTON, killed in action.
Other detailsWar service: Western Front
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

The following photograph was sent from the army to Roderick’s father James Bowen Budsworth.

On 5 November 1918, Roderick was commemorated by his father James Bowen Budsworth, mother Catherine Budsworth, and sister Agatha in the Daily Observer (Tamworth) on page 3:

Roderick is buried at the Caterpiller Valley Cemetery (Plot XXI, Row F, Grave No. 10), Longueval, France. This is approximately 150 kilometres north of Paris.

Photos of Roderick’s grave are located here. In April 2023, family members visited Roderick’s grave in France. These photographs were taken and provided courtesy of them.

Roderick is also memorialised at the Australian War Memorial, the Tamworth ANZAC Park Memorial Gates, the Tamworth Public School WWI Roll of Honour.

Sources