Born in Wharehine, Judson was a boiler maker when he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force for service in the First World War.

[2] In February, shortly after arriving in Egypt where the New Zealand Division was in the process of being formed, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment.

Once his health permitted, he performed training duties and then spent a period of time in charge of a Royal Engineers depot in Codford.

[2] In June 1918, Judson, now a sergeant, returned to his battalion which, along with the rest of the New Zealand Division, was engaged in fighting on the Somme in France.

The actions which led to Judson being awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the DCM and the MM took place over a period of just four weeks.

This prompt and gallant action not only saved many lives, but also enabled the advance to be continued unopposed.In September, Judson was a victim of a gas attack and returned to England to recover his health.

[6] Before departing England, Judson, along with three other New Zealanders who had been awarded the VC,[Note 1] received his medal from King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 27 February 1919.

[6] Discharged from the NZEF in October 1919 and having decided on a career as a professional soldier, Judson joined the New Zealand Staff Corps.

[6] Due to his war wounds (eight fragments of shrapnel remained in his chest and abdomen) and the aftereffects of his gassing, his health was fragile, and he had two periods of extended sick leave in 1924 and 1934.

Despite being regarded as a reliable and conscientious officer, promotion opportunities in the postwar Staff Corps were limited, and when he retired in 1937, it was with the rank of captain.

[3] Unable to return to his civilian trade of engineering due to poor health, he found employment as a secretary at a school in Auckland.

On 16 February 2008, New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of a NZ$300,000 reward offered by Michael Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess.