Samuel Wardle
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel Wardle and Selina Cobb spent all their married life living in Retford where they bought up their children. They had married in Sheffield in 1876 and made their home in New Street. The couple had eight children between 1877 and 1898. Samuel was working as a general labourer at the start of the marriage but soon had a job working in the local India Rubber works which he did for many years. By 1901 the family had made a move within Retford to 21 Wright Wilson Street, Retford and remained there until at least 1911. Their fifth born in 1892 was named Samuel, after his father and he, like the rest of the children was born in Retford. In 1911 all of the elder males in the family were working with their father in the rubber works, prior to the outbreak of the war Samuel was working as a driller at Messers J W Jenkins and Co Ltd.
Samuel enlisted at Retford in November 1916 and joined the Royal Field Artillery 380th Bty 158th Brigade as a Gunner, he went to France on 4th June 1917. He died of wounds on 4th September 1917 sustained in the fighting in Belgium and is buried in the Coxyde Military Cemetery.
Gunner Samuel Wardle Retford Times 21 Sept 1917 Mr Samuel Wardle, a well known member of the Volunteer Corps, and his wife, 21 Wright Wilson Street, Retford, have suffered a heavy bereavement by the death of their third son, Gunner Samuel Wardle, R. F. A. who was killed on Sept 4th. The officer commanding his battery, Captain Goodwin in a letter received on Monday wrote:- “I am very sorry to inform you that your son was killed in action on the 4th of this month.. At the time of his death he was doing excellent work in a gun pit which was on fire. He was buried in a cemetery close by and I am having a suitable cross placed over his grave. Once again expressing my sympathy in your bereavement.” The deceased who was 25 years of age on December 14th last, joined up last November and went to France June last. Before the war he was a driller at Messrs J W Jenkins and Co. Ltd, and had previously been employed at the Northern Rubber Works. Their second son, Wheeler T H Wardle, RFA, 31 Wright Wilson Street, has been in France a year and was formerly employed at the Rubber Works, where his father has been working many years. Trooper Ingle Wardle, the fourth son is with the Sherwood Ranger in Egypt and was on the ship that was torpedoed several weeks ago. Mr and Mrs Wardle’s son in law, Pte Jack Tate, Lincolns has been in France two and a half years and has been twice wounded. The parents of the deceased soldier have the sympathy of a large number of their friends in their bereavement. CWG additional information:- Son of Samuel and Selina Wardle, of 21, Cross Hills, Albert Rd., Retford. Research by Colin Dannatt
