Biography:
1. John Dudley, according to WO54/587 dated the 1st October 1833, started work as a General Labourer on the 3rd June that year, and at the time was a 20 year-old, single man. His rate of pay was given as £33.16.0d annually, and he was allowed to watch in turn, which increased his annual pay to £39.
2. WO54/593 dated the 1st April 1834, recorded that John's basic pay had been cut to £28.5.6d per annum. He was still allowed to watch in turn, which increased his annual pay to £33.9.6d.
3. WO54/593 dated the 1st October 1834, confirmed the previous information given; however, he was then aged 21, and had served 15 months.
4. Dudley replaced James Horam as a Corning House man in the late summer of 1837 (Supply 5/237).
5. Return of Employees on the 1st October 1839 (WO54/623) confirmed that he was employed on the 22nd September 1837 as a Corning House Man with pay of £42.2.0d, which included an allowance to watch in turn. His other details remained unchanged. At that date he had nearly 7 years' service, and was 25 years of age.
6. His name does not appear in the 1841 Census for Waltham Abbey, so, presumably, he lived out of town.
7. On the 13th April 1843, some 40 barrels of gunpowder exploded in the Corning House together with another 20 in the Press House; 7 men were killed, and much damage was caused in the town. Among those killed was John Dudley. According to Winters (p.106), a note dated the 2nd June 1843 stated, "Mary Dudley to receive a donation of £2 in her confinement, consequent of the explosion."
8. A graphic description of the explosion and damage caused, etc., was given in the Illustrated London News dated the Saturday, the 22nd April 1843 (WAAC). John left a widow and child.
