Private Major Hudgins (“Major” was his given/first name and is not a military rank) was born in Aylesford, Nova Scotia on September 3^rd, 1891.

He enlisted in Halifax, N.S., with the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) on April 4^th, 1915. Shipping for England on board the S.S. Olympic in October of 1916 he spent the winter with a training battalion in England before going to France the following March where he rejoined the 85^th Battalion. Pte. Hudgins was killed in action in the trenches at Avion, France, on June 27^th, 1917, age 22. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial in France.

Major’s brother Jack features prominently in his letters. Jack was a Lieutenant with the 85^th Battalion. His collection can be visited here: John (Jack) Hudgins DMC.

External links:
Pte. Hudgins’ Service Record (Serv/Reg# 223325) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Hudgins can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.