Wallace Gale
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Wallace Gale was the son of Henry, a cab driver, and Eliza Gale and the brother of Charles Henry, Alfred Frederick, Mabel, William and Beatrice Gale. In 1901, they lived at 15, Althorpe Street, New Radford Nottingham. Henry Gale died in 1906. By 1911, the family had moved to 13, Smith Street, Radford. Head of household Eliza worked at home as a silk winder, Alfred Frederick made sun blinds, Charles Henry was a miner, Mabel a blousehand, William a lace worker and Beatrice a cleaner. Eliza married George Frederick Sheraton in 1913 and Wallace evidently enlisted under the surname Sheraton. With effect from 27/5/1919, Wallace's mother received a weekly pension of 5/-.
Wallace Gale (servivng as Sheraton) went overseas with the 15th (Bantam) Battalion Sherwood Foresters, which landed in France on 1st February 1916. At some point he was posted to the 9th Battalion and was killed during that unit's final action as the war drew to a close. At 02.30 on November 4th 1918, according to their war diary, 'the bn, without artillery preparation, continued the pursuit of the enemy and captured Sebourg overcoming slight opposition met within the village, inflicting a number of casualties on the enemy. In attempting to capture the high ground east of Sebourg, 'C' & 'D' Coys met with strong opposition from mg fire and the enemy attempted a local counter attack which only resulted in our foremost coys having to fall back slightly to conform to units on the flanks. During the counter attack, which was delivered from the ridge, two 4.5 Hows attached to the bn engaged the enemy with open sights and inflicted casualties. The leading coys, 'C' & 'D' suffered fairly heavily during these operations chiefly from mg fire... Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy by our Lewis Gun and rifle fire both in the village and on the ridge. 30 prisoners, 3 tanks and 10mgs were captured. (The ridge was subsequently taken by 6th Bn Lincolnshire and 7th Bn South Staffordshire Regiments).' (9th Bn Sherwood Foresters War Diary WO95/1815/3) Wallace Gale was one of 40 men from 9th Sherwood Foresters killed during these actions (CWGC Debt of Honour Register) and is buried overlooking the village in Sebourg British Cemetery, Grave Reference: A 18
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour 20/11/1918: 'Gale - Killed in action in France, November 4th after 4 years service, Wallace the dearly loved son of of Mrs Sheraton, Smith Street, Radford and the late Henry Gale, aged 22. From sorrowing mother, father, sister Beat, brothers Charles and Fred (with the Colours) and Will in Salonika.' 'Gale - Killed in action November 4th, Private Wallace Gale, Sherwoods aged 22. Always happy and cheerful with a heart that knew no fear, he stood to face life's battles for those he loved so dear. From loving sister and brother Mabel and Jack.'
