Rudkin served in the South African War. He was aide-de-camp to Paul Methuen, 3rd Baron Methuen and went on to command an Artillery brigade between 1899 and 1902. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with four clasps and the King's South Africa Medal with two clasps. He commanded the Royal Artillery Reserve at the Coronation of King George V in 1911.The Times, 10 January 1958 p11 He received the 1902 and 1911 Coronation Medals for his role in the coronation parades.
