Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, October 1916

Athol Hudson

Athol Hudson.

Through the death in action of Lieutenant Athol Hudson, New Zealand Rhodes Scholar for 1915, not only do his relatives and friends mourn the loss of one whom to know was to love, but also our Alma Mater mourns the loss of one of her most brilliant sons; one whose career gave great promise of bringing honour to his College and to his native land.

On coming to Victoria College in 1912, Hudson specialised in Science, and soon attracted the attention of his Professors to his unusual ability. He passed his College examinations with first class passes, and became recog page 38 nised as one of the strongest science students that had ever attended the College. At the time of his leaving for the Front, Hudson was engaged on important research work in the Chemistry Department, and was preparing to sit for the Senior Scholarship Examinations in Chemistry and Physics.

In the domain of sport, Hudson made a name for himself throughout New Zealand as a champion distance runner. He won in turn the Victoria College Championship, the University Championship, the Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand Championship in the long distance events, having established record time for the University. He also won the New Zealand University Lightweight Championship in Boxing, and achieved considerable success as a swimmer. Football, cricket, and tennis also claimed him as a devotee. His physical stamina was marvellous; the most gruelling exertion always found him smiling. But more admirable than his successes were his high ideals in sport. He always played the game for the game's sake; and, while ever on his mettle to pull off victory, yet was ever chivalrous to an opponent. Among sportsmen, he was recognised as one who stood for all that was characteristic of a manly man, devoted to manly sport for its own sake.

Probably never has the New Zealand Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee selected a candidate so completely meeting Cecil Rhodes' ideal as it did when selecting Hudson to be the Rhodes Scholar for 1915. Not only had he wonderful ability as a scholar, and prowess as an athlete, but above all, he had a charming personality. He was always anxious to help others, but hated any form of publicity; his modesty and retiring disposition were sometimes mistaken for reserve by those who did not know him. His self-sacrificing nature; his keen desire to co-operate in all College activities; his kindly courtesy; the depth and dignity of his character, earned for him the confidence, respect and affection of all who knew him.

On the outbreak of war, Hudson promptly joined the Samoan Force as a private, although doing so meant sacrificing much. In Samoa, he was noted for his unflagging energy, and cheery disposition under irritating conditions of life.

page 39

On returning to New Zealand, he took up study for a short time; but soon felt the call of Empire again, and in July 1915 he once more put his own interests aside, and went into camp as an N.C.O. in the Eighth Reinforcements. Sitting for a Commission he came out head of the examination list, and finally left New Zealand as a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade. Those in camp with him, both here and abroad, spoke glowingly of his success as an officer. But he had but little time to prove his worth in the trenches before his career was brought to a close. He was leading a patrolling party on an expedition in No-Man's Land when, while close to the enemy's trenches, the party was heavily bombed. Although survivors returned to look for their leader, no trace of poor Hudson could be found; and, after this lapse of time, it must unfortunately be presumed that he was killed. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will always retain a memory of him as one of the finest men of our student days.

—G.G.G.W.