Private Major Hudgins [note: “Major” was his given/first name and is not a military rank] was born in Aylesford, Nova Scotia on September 3, 1891.

He enlisted in Halifax, N.S., with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) on April 4, 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 85th Battalion. Pte. Hudgins was killed in action in the trenches at Avion, France, on June 27, 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 85th Battalion. His collected letters can be viewed here: John Hudgins Collection.

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.