Captain Mark Rudkin a member of the British Army stationed at St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and the last person to duel in Newfoundland that caused the loss of life to Ensign John Philpot of the Royal Veteran Companies also stationed at St. John's, Newfoundland.Rudkin and Irish native a 22 year veteran of the British Army who had served in the Peninsular War in the Low Countries and in America was no stranger to combat, wounded various times and had also served as a prisoner of war was considered by many a good officer and a perfect gentleman.