Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Wardle, a publican, born 1858 in Nottinghamshire and his wife Rhoda Wardle (nee Sherwin, married in the 3rd quarter of 1874 in the Radford, Nottingham district), born 1856 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. William, a schoolboy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Radford, Nottinghamshire, his siblings were, Charles Herbert, a gardener’s boy, born 1877 and Sherwin, a plough boy, born 1878, the latter two siblings were both born in Nottingham, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1880 in Lenton, Nottinghamshire, Walter, a schoolboy, born 1882, Edgar, a schoolboy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 and Bernard, a schoolboy, born 1885, the latter three siblings were all born in Radford, Nottinghamshire, Maria, born 1890 and Ethel, born 1891, the latter two siblings were both born in Grimston, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at The Black Horse Inn, Perstin Lane, Grimston. In March 1901 William was absent from the family home at The Black Horse Inn, Grimston, residing there was his father, a publican his mother and siblings, Bernard, a butcher’s boy, Ethel, Leonard, born 1892 and Thurza, born 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Grimston, William was employed as a farm worker and was residing as a servant at The Rectory, Shoby, Leics. In April 1911 William was absent from the family home at Grimston, residing there was his father, a lace maker, his mother a public house manageress and his siblings, Leonard, a farm labourer and Thurza, a public house worker, also residing in the family home was Edgar’s married sister Maria Leadbetter, a housewife and her son Arthur Leadbetter, born 1910 in All Saint’s, Portsmouth, Hampshire, William was employed as a Policeman and was an Army Reservist, he was residing at 12, Alderney Street, Nottingham, this being the family home of his brother Charles Herbert, a domestic chauffeur, and his wife Elenora McNeil Wardle, born 1883 in Perth, Scotland, together with his nephews and nieces, Douglas, a schoolboy, born 1902 and Frieda, a schoolgirl, born 1904, the latter two children were born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Walter, born 1907 in Smethwick, Staffordshire, Marjorie, born 1909 and Bernard, born 1910, the latter two children being born in Nottingham. William’s elder brother Edgar died of fever whilst serving in India in 1918.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and 9 years in the Reserve on the 31st May 1902 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Nottingham, his age as 18 years and 10 months and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Arthur Wardle and mother Rhoda Wardle both of Grimston, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his brothers, Charles Herbert Wardle, Sherwin Wardle, Thomas Wardle, Walter Wardle, Edgar Wardle, Bernard Wardle, Leonard Wardle and sisters, Maria Wardle, Ethel Wardle and Thurza Wardle as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 124 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 31st May 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 6399 on the 31/5/02. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Guernsey on the 26/11/02. Granted Messing Allowance on the 1/12/02. Posted to Alderney on the 9/12/03. Permitted to extend his service to complete 8 years with the Colours on the 5/2/04. Transferred to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/2/04. Embarked aboard SS Scillia for India on the 11/2/04. Posted to Madras, India on the 5/3/04. Posted to Belgaum, India on the 31/3/05. Awarded his 3rd Class Certificate of Army Education on the 27/4/05. Passed his Mounted Infantry course in Bangalore, India on the 16/5/05. Transferred to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 16/10/06. Embarked for England aboard SS. Dongola on the 1/3/10. Transferred to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/3/10. Transferred to Section “B” Army Reserve on the 30/5/10. Continued in Section “B” Army Reserve on the 31/5/11. Re-engaged with Section “D” Reserve with effect from the 31/1/14 on the 14/3/14. Mobilised on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 4/1/15. Killed in action during operations in the field between the 10-13/5/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/5/02 – 8/2/04, 1 year 254 days. India, 9/2/04 – 22/3/10, 6 years 42 days. Home Service, 23/3/10 – 3/1/15, 4 years 287 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/1/15 – 13/3/15, 69 days. Total service, 12 years and 287 days. William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by William’s father Arthur on the 21st April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Charles W. Wright, J.P., Grimston, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Arthur Wardle of Grimston, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Rhoda Wardle of Grimston, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, Charles Herbert Wardle, age 42 of Alderney Street, Lenton, Nottingham, No. 20335, Sherwin Wardle, Royal Field Artillery, age 40 of Gays Bungalows, White Hill, Bordon Camp. No.2, Staff Sergeant Thomas Wardle, age 39 of 44, Norton Street, Reading. No.286, Shoe Smith Walter Wardle, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, age 37 of Grimston, Melton Mowbray. No.4265, Bernard Wardle, late Coldstream Guards, age 34 of -?- Yorke Road, Becton, Nottingham. No.WR/267929, Leonard Wardle, age 27, Royal Engineers R.T.E. of Railway Traffice, Roubaix, France. Full blood sisters of soldier, Maria Leadbetter, age 30 of Grimston, Melton Mowbray, Ethel Anthony, age 29 of Spoul Lane, Arnold, Nottingham and Thurza Lake, age 25 of Grimston, Melton Mowbray. William’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-15 - All in position by 5.00am 10th March. At 7.30am the artillery bombardment commenced and at 7.45am C Coy followed by D Coy moved up by communication trench to the northern position of eastern face of PORT ARTHUR. At 8.05am B and C Coys advanced each Coy having two platoons in front line closely supported by the other two platoons in 2nd line. The advance was carried out at a steady double. The first line of enemy’s trenches was carried and the advance was continued over several other enemy’s trenches and communication trenches reaching the final objective (line P.O. to road) at about 5.20am. B Coy occupying that position of German trench extending from P. to the line joining D and 5 and C Coy on their right extending through O. to the road. Two platoons from each A and D Coys had supported B and C Coy in third line. The D Coy platoons occupied the houses about D. and covered C Coys rear and finally moved up on C Coys right joining C Coys to road D.N. Meanwhile owing to the 1st/39th edging off to their right a gap of about 200 yards of the first German trench been unaccounted for and this position was still held by Germans who moved down trench opposite our right. Two parties endeavoured to dislodge them from trench to north of wired house and from wired house opposite our right. One platoon of D Coy from Reserve under Capt ROMILLY succeeded in bombing them back down trench eventually up to within 20 yards of wired house, here a barricade was built and with two reserve platoons of A Coy was held until the SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS advancing from our left took the line. (The Coys in the front line at once commenced improving the German trench and reversed the parapet). About 5.00pm, the enemy endeavoured to retire north eastwards but with the 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS attacking from the west, the 3rd LONDON REGT. from the south west and the fire of A Coy enfilading them they raised the white flag and surrendered. About 80 prisoners were taken. About 3.40pm orders were received that the left of our advanced line was to swing round to P. to connect with 2nd/3rd GURKHAS this had already been done. At 3.45pm information received that the DEHRA DUN Bde was going to pass through to attack the BOIS DE BIEXZ and that GARWHAL Bde would remain on line T.P.O. and consolidate position. At 5.15pm Front line of I.A. Corps. from left to right 2nd/39th – 2nd/3rd – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. – 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS – 3rd LONDON REGT. – 1st/39th – up to this hour the right flank of forward line by road had been in the air. About midnight 10th/11th March the 2nd/39th were withdrawn and attached to the DEHRA DUN Bde.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-15 - The DEHRA DUN Bde advanced as far as the BOIS DE BIEZ but before dawn withdrew and dug themselves in. The 2nd/2nd GURKHAS digging a trench 100 yards in front of the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS trench and the 2nd/39th coming into that portion of our line held by C and ½ of D Coys. The trench dug by the 2nd/2nd made 60 yards of trench on my left, which was occupied by B Coy and faced north, of no account as this portion of the trench flanked the line held by the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. The ½ of A Coy in front line was withdrawn to D. at dusk. During the night 11th/12th March the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS were withdrawn and the trench was left unoccupied.
The War Diary records: 12 Mar-15 - The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15am the Germans counter attacked and A Coy at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2nd/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2nd/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by B Coy and one Machine Gun under Capt McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30am a Coy of the 1st/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lt McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00am the SIRHIND Bde supported by JULLUNDER Bde was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37pm received information that GARWHAL Bde would remain in possession of line. At 6.00pm FEROZEPORE Bde came up but by 11.00pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00pm to 2.15pm. Battn HQ’s and ½ D Coy moved to D. at 3.00pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Bde withdrawn about 11.30pm.
The War Diary records: 13 Mar-15 - Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Bde at 5.15pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Bde (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30pm (Appendix F). At 5.30pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battn marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Bde HQ’s RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00am 14th March.
On Friday April 2nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – GRIMSTON – KILLED IN ACTION. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Wardle, of the Black Horse Inn, in the death of their son William, aged 30, serving with the 2nd Leicester’s, who was killed in action on the 10th March. The first intimation of his death was received indirectly last week by a friend from Saxelbye who heard of it by letter from his son at the front, but the sad event was confirmed on Wednesday morning by letter from the War Office, which contained the following message:- “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. Although a sad loss, it will be comforting to his friends to know he gave his life for his King and Country.” Mr. and Mrs. Wardle have three of their sons fighting in France, and another in his Majesty’s Forces in this country.
On Friday April 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HEAVY LEICESTERSHIRE CASUALTIES.” – MEN WHO FELL AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. – OFFICIAL LISTS. – The official lists of casualties published during the past week contain the names of numerous representatives of the Leicestershire Regiment, several of whom will be recognised as belonging to Melton Mowbray and district. Reported from the base, 24th March.
KILLED.
Ball (11054), Private A., Barker (10872), Private A., Bates (12314), Private W., Betteridge (9239), Lance Corporal T., Bishop (11078), Private J. H., Bosher (9534), Private H., Bradley (6131), Lance Corporal A., Bradley (11776), Corporal G. J., Branson (9838), Private F., Brooks (12142), Private B., Brown (11185), Private H., Brown (8631), Private S. W., Carter (11125), Private W., Congreve (8282), Private F., Conway (5393), Private A., Cooke (9898), Private E. A., Corby (8485), Private W. H., Cornish (10358), Sergeant J., Cousins (6007), Private C. E., Cox (8829), Lance Corporal F. J., Croucher (8854), Private L., Cunnington (12090), Private H., Davis (9923), Private F., Elson (7096), Lance Corporal F. A., Emery (8269), Private W., Ferguson (9277), Private R. E., Garton (9939), Private E., Green (11801), Private G., Hall (12041), Private E., Hallam (6473), Private O., Hayes (8740), Drummer D., Helsdon (6021), Lance Corporal W., Hicks (10718), Private E., Hinckley (9160), Private L. J., Holt (11718), Private C. H., Holt (12093), Private W., Hopkinson (12383), Private J., Hyde (8199), Private J. W., Lake (9242), Private H., Latham (12468), Private W. S., Lee (11330), Private E. H., Lees (5329), Sergeant E., Littlejohn (8708), Private T., Locks (8961), Private L., McHugh (12700), Private A., Mansfield (9034), Private H., Morgan (8412), Private A., Moore (5661), Private F., Neat (5342), Sergeant J., Needham (6400), Private H. S., Peacock (11043), Private G., Potterton (8959), Private W., Poyser (12070), Private J. G., Randle (6164), Private L., Reynolds (10162), Private J. S., Robinson (8732), Private P., Rowley (9863), Private W., Sanders (9225), Private U., Sheffield (12078), Corporal J. D., Shipsides (6396), Private E., Skelcey (8825), Private R., Soden (11262). Private W. A., Tansley (7898), Lance Corporal W. J., Taylor (12412), Private F. W., Towndrow (5708), Lance Corporal E., Twigg (7466), Sergeant J., Vine (10426), Private W., Ward (10951), Private W. R., Wardle (6399), Private W., Wareham (12045), Private H., Warner (9285), Private A. H., Warner (9864), Private O., Watson (11669), Private J., White (9522), Private A., Woodford (9045), Private A. F.