Rudolph, known as Rudi, was born on 29 April 1920 in Köln, Germany to George, an architect, and Elizabeth nee Vogel and he had two younger twin sisters Ellen and Ruth. The family left Nazi Germany and settled in Amsterdam. In 1937, Rudi was sent to England to study law at Balliol College, Oxford. He was able to visit his family in Amsterdam until the outbreak of war, he never saw his family again after 1939 but was able to keep in touch through the Red Cross messaging service. They escaped to the USA. After graduating in 1940, he spent a brief period in detention on the Isle of Man and on his release he joined the Pioneer Corps. He served with various Pioneer Units from then until July 1942, when he had risen to the rank of Corporal. By October 1943 he went through two more postings, before he volunteered for Airborne Forces, and was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, on the 1st January 1944.

He married Pauline Davies in April 1943 and their daughter Christa was born three months after her father’s death.

Rudi was killed in action on 26 September 1944.