Muscat, Rudolph

Rudolph Muscat

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: Army Service Corps / Lancashire Fusiliers

Father: Otto Muscat

Brother: Paul Emil Muscat

Address: Hastings

Other Info: Formerly of Hastings Pier Orchestra. Killed in action.

Rudolph was born 1888 the eldest son of Otto Muscat and Elsa Bitsch. He married Ethel Clifford in Farnham, Hampshire in 1912 and joined the army in August 1914. He served first in the Royal Army Service Corps and later transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers. In 1915 Ethel had given birth to a son, Clifford Rudolph, but sadly the child died within month. Rudolph was killed on 22nd October 1917.

Rudolph Muscat, Lance Corporal 46543. Lancashire Fusiliers 20th Battalion. Mobilised for war and landed at Havre and engaged in various action on the Western Front including in 1916: The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The fighting for Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917: The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the fighting in Houthulst Forest and the Second Battle of Passchendaele.

Rudolph was killed in action on 22nd October 1917, during the fighting in France and Flanders, Western Europe. His body was buried on the battlefield and marked with a small wooden cross. In 1920 his burial place was found and his body was transferred to the official War Grave site in the Cement House War Graves Cemetery at Langemark – Poelkapelle. Belgium.

Rudolph was posthumously awarded the British War Medal, the British Star and the Victory Medal [These medals have not survived in the family, but may have been given to his widow].

According to CWGC, Rudolph is buried in Cement House Cemetery, Langemark, grave reference XIII.D.45.

With thanks to Jo Coulson for this information

Published: January 1915 & January 1918

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