Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
David was born on 1st May 1881 in Dorking, Surrey to roadman labourer Charles and Rosetta (nee Giles). He was baptised on 26th June 1881 at St Paul’s church in Dorking. At the time of the family lived at Falkland Road.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Falkland Road. Charles was still working as a roadman labourer and Rosetta was at home. Of their children: Ellen was working as a laundry maid, William and Alfred were general labourers and Joseph and David were at school.
David´s father Charles Strudwick died in 1901 and was burried on 27th February 1901 in Dorking Cemetery.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 24 Falkland Road, Dorking. Rosetta was at home. Of her children: William was working as a bricklayers labourer, Alfred was a wood machinist, Lilly was a laundry maid and David a bricklayers labourer.
David married Annie Jackson on 10th September 1904 at Dorking Registry Office. Annie was born in the 1st quarter of 1883 in Rugby, Warwickshire.
David and Annie had six known children: David Gerald born on 16th March 1903; Daisy Annie born on 29th November 1905; George Aubrey born on 27th February 1908; Gordon Charles born on 17th April 1909; Norman Talbot born on 12th July 1912 and George Andrew born on 18th April 1915,all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 38 Orchard Road, Dorking. David was working as a bricklayers labourer and Annie was looking after their children: David Gerald, George Aubrey and Gordon Charles. The accomodation had four rooms. Annie stated that she had given birth to five children of whom four were still alive.
David enlisted for the duration of war into the 12th (Reserve) Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment on 10th December 1915 in Dorking. He was a Private with regimental number G/13824. At the time of his enlistment he lived at 77 Orchard Road in Dorking. Later the family moved to 63 Orchard Road. In 1916 his wife Annie lived at 135 Lisson Grove, Marylebone, London.
David was mobilised on 3rd June 1916. On 1st September 1916 the 12th (Reserve) Battalion the Queen´s became the 97th Training Reserve Battalion of the 23rd Reserve Brigade. On 7th October 1916 David was transferred into the Queen´s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) of the British Expeditionary Force and embarked to France. On 24th of October 1916 he joined the 6th Battalion the Queen´s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He was a Private with the new regimental number G/17654.
He went missing in an action on or after 17th July 1917 in France. His body was never found.
DORKING MAN MISSING – Mrs. D. Strudwick, of 4 Mint Gardens, Dorking, has received news that her husband, Private D. Strudwick, of the Q. R. W. S. R., is missing. The intimation came from his Captain who says: “On July 17th the Company delivered an attack on the German trenches. The trench was taken and the object gained, not without casualties. I am afraid I can give you no definite information. Your husband may, of course, be a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, in which case you will receive due notification from the War Office.” The last letter from Mrs. Strudwick received from her husband was dated July 14. Pte. Strudwick joined up on June 3rd of last year, and went to France on October. Mrs. Strudwick has four brothers serving in France and one in England.
David Strudwick Missing Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
David Strudwick is commemorated at the Arras Memorial in France on Bay 7.
He left to his wife Annie Strudwick £2, 19s and 8d on 7th November 1918, and a further £4 on 28th November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
David Strudwick had four brothers serving in France and one in England.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Annie was awarded a pension of 31/3 a week for herself and her five children, with effect from 18th March 1918. In November 1918, Annie lived at 24 Markham Street in Chelsea, London. Annie married George Simmons in the 3rd quarter of 1919 in Hammersmith, London. In 1919 Annie lived at 31 Carthew Road, Brackenbury Road, Hammersmith.
Strudwick Family History
David’s father Charles Strudwick was born in 1828 in Westcott, Surrey to labourer Robert, born 1791, and Anne/Ann born about 1791, both in Dorking. Charles was baptised on 4th April 1828 in the Poor Law Union of Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Westcott and Robert was working as a labourer. Charles married Mary Knight on 11th February 1855 in Dorking. Mary was born about 1832 and died in 1857. She was burried at Holy Trinity church in Westcott. The couple had a daughter, Emma Strudwick. Emma was born about 1856 in Westcott.
David’s mother Rosetta Giles was born in the 1st quarter of 1840 in Shere, Surrey to labourer William born about 1806 and Mary born about 1816, both in Shere. Rosetta/Rosa was baptised on 9th February 1840 in Abinger. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Shere.
Charles married Rosetta on 19th June 1859 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of the marriage the couple lived at Westcott and Charles was working as a labourer.
David had oneknown half sister and eight known blood siblings: Emma born about 1856 in Westcott (half sister); Jesse born about 1863; Ellen born about 1868; William born about 1869; Rosetta born about 1871; Alfred born about 1873; Lilly born about 1875; Minnie born about 1877 and Joseph born about 1879 all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at Westcott Common, Guildford Road, Dorking. Charles was working as a labourer and Rosetta was looking after their children: Emma, Jesse, Ellen, William and Rosetta/Rosa.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Falkland Road in Dorking. Charles was working as a Highway Board labourer and Rosetta/Rosa was at home. The household further comprised of their children: gardener Jesse, Ellen, William, Rosetta, Alfred, Lilly, Minnie and Joseph.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles and Rosetta Strudwick nee Giles of Falkland Road, Dorking | |
| Husband of | Annie Strudwick (nee Jackson) | |
| Enlisted | Dorking | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment | |
| Number | G/17654 | |
| Former Regiment | 13824 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Q.R.W.S Regiment | |
| Date of Death | 17th July 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 36 | |
| Memorial | Arras Memorial, France |
