Vernon R. Hudgin - Hastings Prince Edward Regiment history Shared by Bonita Allenon 04/13/2014

 

VERNON REGINALD HUDGIN – Hast PER – Bio

 

Vernon was born April 13, 1920 at South Bay, Prince Edward County, Ontario at the Moses Hudgin log cabin.  Vernon recalls being told that it was a very stormy winter night. Vernon Reginald Hudgin was the son of Egbert Hudgin and Jenny McConnell. Vernon spent many of his teen years living with his grandparents, Phillip Hudgin and Waite Bongard helping them of their farm. Vernon joined the Militia at the age of 20 in July 1940 then started active service in 1942 at Kingston.  He took basic training in Cornwall and advanced training at Camp Borden.  Vernon was transported overseas with fellow troops on the “Andes” departing from Halifax, Nova Scotia and landing in Greenock, Scotland.  They were moved to Whitley Camp in England, near a small village named Milford.  Vernon joined the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment at Eastbourne with the reformed “D” company, part of the 16th platoon.  The regiment completed exercise in Northern England then moved on to Inverary, Scotland and Darvel.  Vernon boarded the “Duke of Argyle” with the Regiment headed for the Mediterranean unsure of exactly where they were going but were eventually told they would be invading Sicily.   The Regiment landed on Pachino Beach in Sicily going ashore around 4:00 a.m. on July 10, 1943.  The regiment took over a small village and after resting for a while moved on.  They reached Assoro, Sicily after walking, biking, and riding on tanks (when possible) or using local donkeys & carts.  Vernon recalls having to sleep overnight in a cave.  When the regiment succeeded in securing the town of Assoro Vernon was placed on guard duty in the court yard.  The assignment was to insure the well water was kept safe.  While on duty he was wounded by artillery shells.  Others on the same assignment were wounded and/or killed.  The date was July 23, 1943 around noon only 13 days in action.  He was 23 years old.  Vernon was taken to the nearest Field Dressing Station where they removed shell fragments from his stomach and leg.  He was then transported by Field Ambulance to the hospital in Syracusa.  From there he recalls boarding a ship in Seuss.  He was unsure the length of time involved.  Finally he arrived at the 95th British General Hospital in Algiers.  Infection had erupted again.  While in Algiers he was surprised to see a cousin of his from Prince Edward County. Imagine being so far from home and seeing a familiar face from home not only that but a relative, Art Johnson.  After additional medical care and extensive recovery time he became a “walking” patient and was able to move into a tent.  Finally he was sent up the coast to wait for a ship back to England to further recuperate. Upon reaching England in October or November of 1943 he was admitted as a convalescent at Hindhead.  Infection continued to affect his recovery as he recalls being hospitalized during the Christmas of 1943 at Bramshot hospital.  In March 1944 he was released from care.  When asked where he would like to go he requested that he be returned to his regiment.  Vernon was told that he could not return to the regiment due to his injuries and instead would be returning to Canada.  He arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in April 1944 somewhere near his birthday on April 13th.  Recovery was ongoing even after he returned home.  Vernon was an outpatient at the Kingston Hospital for another month as more shell fragments were removed and the continued infection was dealt with.   Vernon received a medical discharge at the end of June 1944.   Returning to civilian life he became a licensed Mechanic through the “rehab” program.  A career he stayed with until forced into an early retirement by continued stomach problems and a heart condition.  The above information was told by Vernon to his daughter Bonnie (Bonita) just prior to the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment's trip to Sicily and Italy in September 2005. Vernon was accompanied by his son Glen, his daughter Bonnie and his grandson Dylan Lidster.

It was on December 17, 1945 that Vernon married Mary Nita Murney O'Neil. Mary and Vernon had 6 children; Sherrie, Glen, Bonnie, Randy, Wendy and Cindy. In that order. Mary passed away September 13, 2007 and Vernon passed away exactly 5 months later. Vernon and Mary are buried at the Cherry Valley Cemetery in Prince Edward County. Number 13 always seemed to be every present in Vernon's life.

I will leave the job of grandchildren and great grandchildren to the next administrator of this site (and anything else they might like to add).