Ossie, Alonzo & Justice

Image: AIF portrait of Osman (Ossie) John Hudson

Colour Patch, 3 Infantry Battalion,
Australian Imperial Force

You may not believe it but according to a family legend there were three brothers named Ossie, Alonzo and Justice who each served in the Australian Imperial Force during the Great War 1914-1918.

Osman "Ossie"John Hudson was born circa 1897 at Hickeys Creek, NSW. When the Great War started in 1914 he tried to enlist at the same time as his siblings, Alonzo & Justice but was told by the AIF recruiter he was too young.

Ossie then walked from Kempsey to Armidale, where he was able to sign up for the Australian Imperial Forces on 13 September 1915. He stated his age as 21 years, 9 months when he was actually only 18 years old. He was allocated athe service number 4823 and the rank of Private.

He saw service as a stretcher bearer on the Western Front. Ossie was a member of the 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion and also served in the Middle East.

He was also a member of the following units, at various times during the war, 55th Australian Infantry Battalion, detached to 5th Division Salvage Corps and the 1st ANZAC Salvage Section. Ossie disembarked in Sydney after the war and was discharged on 15 August 1919.