John Alfred Wardle, DLI, Killed on the Somme at Eaucourt L`abbaye

[Bazbro]

We travelled to France to track down our relative, John Alfred Wardle in 2013 .
He was a coal miner from lands near Cockfield in County Durham. We found his name on Thiepval memorial and have since traced where he was involved in an attack at Eaucourt L`Abbaye where he was killed.
We stood near the spot which is very peaceful now and hard to imagine the hell of battle at that time.
not far away is the Butt of Warlencourt that was fought over so many times and was a high point for the german machine gunners.
I would love to hear from anyone researching to piece more information together.
regards
Barry

[stevej60]

Hi Barry,6th DLI was as you may know a territorial battallion which was recruited from Bishop Auckland
and the surrounding area,John's number would suggest(to me) he was a pre-war member if so would
have fought near Ypres in April 1915 where the battalion first saw action,they were spared the initial
month's of the Somme battle but the 151 brigade (6,8,9th DLI) fought near the end especially at the
Butte de Warlencourt,three original wartime crosses were brought back after the war recording this action
one has pride of place in Durham Cathedral inthe regimental chapel.
http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1291&displayorder=9

[Bazbro]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply.
Ill need to get up to Durham sometime.
I found this too .

https://thefallenservicemenofsouthwestcountydurham.com/wardle-j-a/

[stevej60]

That's a fitting tribute Barry I tried finding some info on NEWMP website which I have done a bit of
research for now and then  but drew a blank however the link to Chilton led me to this,
http://www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=1143&displayorder=117
ATB Steve.