Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Abraham Wardle, a coal miner, born 1853 in Coalville, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Wardle (nee Moore, married in the 3rd quarter of 1875 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1857 in Ravenstone, Leicestershire. James was born in 1890 in Coalville, his siblings were, Abraham, a coal miner, born 1876, Phoebe Elizabeth, born 1880, Isaac, born 1882, Florence, born 1884, Joseph, born in the 1st quarter of 1886 and John, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Coalville, in April 1891 the family home was at Strettons Row, Station Street, Whitwick, Leicestershire. In the 2nd quarter of 1897, in the Ashby de la Zouch district, James’ father died, aged 44. In March 1901 James was residing in the family home at Margaret Street, Coalville together with his widowed mother and siblings, Abraham, a riveter’s labourer, Isaac, a blacksmith’s labourer, Emily, a hosiery trade worker, Joseph, a colliery pony driver, John and William, born 1894 in Coalville. In April 1911 James was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 52, Margaret Street, Coalville, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Abraham, a wagon works puncher, Isaac, a wagon works blacksmith’s stoker, Joseph, a coal miner and William, a coal miner. James was killed in action between the 10th and 14th March 1915. His elder brother Joseph also fell in action.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-15 – The Battalion in the 20th Brigade was in Corps Reserve and was formed up at ESTAIRES. The Battalion moved eventually to CAMERON LANE arriving there about 3:00pm where they occupied the support trenches until ordered to go into billets at 6:55pm.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-15 – At 4:15am the Brigade moved off this Battalion leading to occupy a line of our trenches from which to advance to the attack at 7:00am. The Battalion occupied their trenches by 6:35am. The attack commenced at the hour ordered and proceeded across the German trenches already captured. King’s and 2 formed the firing line supported by 3 and 4 Companies. Immediately the attack commenced the Battalion came under rifle fire. A short time after the Commanding Officer had a report to say that the firing line was being enfiladed. The Commanding Officer then went forward and saw Major Duberley Officer Commanding No.2 Company who said his leading platoons were 100 yards in rear of a trench held by what he believed to be the Northamptonshire Regiment who were again 150 to 200 yards from the German trenches. A message was sent back to Brigade Head Quarters to that effect and the reply came an order to hold on. This was easily done despite heavy shell from both field and heavy German guns. The Battalion was then withdrawn at dark to support trenches and maintained them during the night of 11/12th. The following 4 officers were killed in action during the day. Captain The Hon. G. H. Douglas Pennant Commanding King’s Company, Lieutenant Lord W. W. Bradbourne, 2nd Lieutenant C. F. Burnand, Lieutenant M. A. A. Darby. The following 5 being wounded, 2nd Lieutenant C. W. Garthorne, 2nd Lieutenant R. Somervill, Captain E. F. Sartorius, 2nd Lieutenant Lord W. Darcy, 2nd Lieutenant A. St. J. Mildmay.
The War Diary records: 12 Mar-15 – At 12:30pm No.3 and 4 Companies were ordered to support the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and Border Regiment. These two Companies proceeded to advance at 1:30pm supported by the remaining Companies of the Battalion. Very shortly after this Major G. Trotter D.S.O., was wounded, and Lieutenant Colonel R. Fisher Rowe was mortally wounded, and 2nd Lieutenant C. Foster died of wounds received. Captain C. H. Greville and a draft of 49 men arrived.
The War Diary records: 13 Mar-15 – During the early hours of the morning at 3:30am a message was received to the effect that the Battalion would move to a new position on the left of VIII Division. In consequence of the darkness and difficulties of the ground progress was very slow and it was till 5:30am before the leading Company was in rear of the right Company of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. By this time it was getting very light and the enemy began shooting casualties occurring at once. The men did the only thing possible, dug themselves in where they were facing the enemy, but unfortunately they were in small parties except on the right, and communication became impossible, Major Duberley was killed very soon after this. A short time later Lieutenant C. Fisher Rowe came up with orders but before he could reach the Company he was hit. Lieutenant H. W. Ethelston was also killed. The Battalion by now was over a very scattered area owing to the heavy shelling, our own guns also shelling this Battalion. On the night of the 13/14th the Battalion went into Billets in LAVENTIE. The casualties during these operations were 14 officers and 325 men.
The War Diary records: 14 Mar-15 – The Battalion in billets at LAVENTIE, 4 officers, Captain R. Lyson M.V.O., Lieutenant Goschen and 2nd Lieutenant Westmacott and Daberley leave the Battalion on sick leave. Lieutenant C. Mitchell rejoins the Battalion from Brigade, Transport Officer and Captain L-?- from Brigade Head Quarters.
On Saturday April 10th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “COALVILLE SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION.” – It is officially notified that Private James Wardle, of the Grenadier Guards, son of Mrs. Wardle, of Melbourne Street, Coalville, has been killed in action in France, at a place not stated. Wardle’s brother, also serving with the Coldstream Guards was wounded in action some time ago.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
James was born in 1890 in Coalville, he was the son of late Mr Abraham Wardle who used to work at the Whitwick Colliery 17 years before his son’s death. He and his mother lived at Margaret St, Coalville.

Mrs Wardle had four sons, of whom Joseph in the Goldstream Guards and who at the time of James ‘s death was in Windsor, having had two fingers shot off his left hand and who was expecting to go out to the front again, as soon as he was fit.
Prior to the war James was a collier at South Leicestershire Colliery. He was a well-known Coalville footballer having played for the Amateurs and P.S.A.

Military Service

James enlisted in Coalville
He was killed in action in Neuve Chapelle, between 10 th and 14 th March 1915, he was 25 years old.
James’s mother received a letter from Lord Kichenener, expressing the sympathy of His Majesty King George and the Queen.

James is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial- France, but also on both Coalville Clock Tower War Memorial and Christ Church Coalville

Submitted by F. Tilley in 2015
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Coalville Times article - Friday April 9th, 1915

ANOTHER COALVILLE SOLDIER KILLED

A WELL-KNOWN FOOTBALLER

Official news was received on Tuesday morning by Mrs Wardle, of Margaret Street, Coalville, that her son, Private James Wardle, of the Grenadier Guards, had been killed in action between March 10th and 14th, apparently being at Neuve Chapelle, though the place was not stated. A letter from Lord Kitchener, expressing the sympathy of His Majesty King George and the Queen was also received.

The deceased soldier joined the army in August, prior to that being a collier, at the South Leicestershire Colliery. He was a well-known Coalville footballer, having played for the Amateurs and P.S.A. He was 25 years of age. His father, the late Mr Abraham Wardle, used to work at the Whitwick Colliery and died 17 years ago.

Mrs Wardle now has four sons, one of whom Joseph, is in the Coldstream Guards, and he is now at Windsor, having had two fingers shot off his left hand. He is expecting to go out to the front again as soon as he is fit.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 7/10/2017