Matthew William Wardale

Matthew William was born in 1882 in Lincoln and was the son of Matthew a grocer and Caroline Wardale née Clayton. His father Matthew was born in in 1850 in Binbrook, Lincolnshire, his mother Caroline Clayton was born in 1848 in Louth, Lincolnshire, they were married in 1872 , their marriage was recorded in the Louth registration district, they went on to have two other children, Edward Henry b1873 and Ethel Caroline b1886, both were born in Lincoln Registration District. By 1901 Matthew had left the family home and is living at 52 Derby Road, Nottingham , he is a servant cleaning boots and shoes in a hotel, he is living with the hotel proprietor William Jamison 52 yrs and his family. In 1904 he is married to his wife Alice Dale b1882 in Ilkeston, their marriage is recorded in the Basford Registration District. On the 1911 census Matthew is living and working at Horse and Groom Hotel, 2 St Peters Square in Nottingham , he is shown as being 28 yrs of age married and a hotel manager, also at the address are 8 female staff/servants. His wife however on the 1911 census is living at the family home of 11 Rutland Road, Nottingham , she is 29yrs and is living with their 2 children Harry 8 years and Ethel May 5 yrs, also at the address is her sister Minnie Dale 21 yrs and 2 male boarders , both working as hotel staff. His probate was proven on 30th July 1918 at Nottingham, it shows him as Matthew William Wardale of the Earl of Lincoln Inn, Woodborough Road, Nottingham , Private in His Majestey's Army died 4th May 1918 at the Currgh, Ireland, his effects of £2155 18 shillings and 6 pence to Frank Pickering gentleman and Alice Wardale widow.

Hotel manager

Air Mechanic Matthew Wardale served with the 9th Training Squadron Royal Air Force, he was killed in an accident in the Curragh, Ireland on 4th May 1918. He is buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery (St Paul's 9808). The RAF casualty card held at the RAF Museum, Hendon gives the following details :- The R.A.F. investigation into the accident concluded that: “The Court having considered the evidence and viewed the scene of the accident are of opinion that the pilot, No. 100 045 Sgt. Geipel, W. and 1/AM. Wardale, got into a spin and had not sufficient height to get out again. “Further the court is of opinion that no blame can be attached to the Sgts in charge of the engine or the Sgt in charge of Rigging.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918

Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 8 May 1918: 'Wardale. Accidentally killed on May 4th, First Class Airman Wardle, RAF, late of the Earl of Lincoln Arms, age 35. Funeral Rock Cemetery. An article published on 9th May 1918 in the Nottingham Journal & Express :- “NOSE DIVE OF 500 FEET. “Well-known City Publican Killed. “Keen regret is felt amongst a wide circle of friends of Mr. Matthew William Wardle, [sic] who became landord of the Earl of Lincoln Arms, Woodborough-road, on 31 January, 1915, and for eight years prior to that was manager for Mr. Jamieson at the Horse and Groom, St. Peter's-square, Nottingham. “Joining the Flying Corps in December, 1916., Mr. Wardle was attached to the photographic section and had done exceeding good work. “Burst into Flames. “Drafted to The Curragh, Ireland, a short time ago, he was deputed on Friday last to carry out certain photographic work for an aeroplane. The machine, piloted by Sergeant Geipel, had only ascended about 500 feet when it was observed to tip on end and crash to earth in a spinning nose dive. “The wreckage burst into flames and both bodies were badly charred before they could be extricated. “Body Brought Home. “The funeral of the pilot took place at Hartlepool yesterday. [8th May 1918] Mr. Wardle's body arriving at the Nottingham Midland Station, was conveyed to the house on a gun-carriage, and full military honours will be accorded at the funeral, which takes place at the Church Cemetery on Friday.” [10th May 1918] Further Article published 11th May 1915 in the Nottingham Journal and Express :- “AEROPLANE WREATH. “AT FUNERAL OF NOTTINGHAM VICTIM OF FLYING ACCIDENT. “Among the floral tributes at the funeral at Nottingham Church Cemetery yesterday [10th May 1918] of Mr. M. Wardale, former landlord of the Earl of Lincoln Arms, Woodborough-road, who was killed in a flying accident in Ireland, was a model aeroplane sent over from Ireland, was a model aeroplane sent over from Ireland, together with a beautiful wreath and cross, marks of the esteem and respect with which he was regarded by fellow-members of his squadron. “The coffin was conveyed from the house to the cemetery on a gun-carriage, and a firing party was sent from Clipstone. “The funeral service was performed by the Rev. E. J. Bardsley (vicar of St. Andrew's), and there was a large and representative gathering at the grave-side to pay a tribute of farewell to one whose tragic death has evoked widespread expressions of sympathy and regret.” In memoriam published 5th May 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- WARDALE. – In remembrance of my dear husband, who was killed while flying in Ireland May 4th, 1918. – From wife and children.” Above articles and notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918