Private 73024 William Gardner

Died on Tuesday, 6th April 1921, age 31.
Buried in Grave NG. L. South. at West Bromwich (St. Peter's) Churchyard , Greets Green, West Bromwich.

9th Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.). 33rd Brigade of 11th Division.
Formerly 73024 17th Sherwood Foresters, 73024 11th Sherwood Foresters and 11552 South Staffordshire Regiment.

Husband of Mrs Emily Gardner of 36 Sheepwash Lane, Tipton. Son of Henry and Emma Gardner of 19 Sheepwash Lane, Tipton.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Unknown, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 17th December 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because he was born in Tipton.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395627/

Genealogical Data

Birth of William Gardner registered June quarter 1888 in Dudley.

1891 Census
2 Waterloo Street East, Tipton, Staffs.
Henry Gardiner (30, Carter for Railway Company, born Tipton), his wife Emma (29, born Tipton), and their 2 children: William (2, born Tipton) and Henry (1, born Tipton).

1901 Census
2 House 4 Court, Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs. (Adjacent to 115 Horseley Heath).
Henry Gardner (38, Drayman, born Tipton), his wife Emma (36, born Tipton), and their 8 children: William (12, born Tipton), Henry (11, born Tipton), Charlotte (9, born Tipton), George (7, born Tipton), James (5, born Tipton), Elizabeth (4, born Tipton), Elsie (2, born Tipton) and Frances (3 months, born Tipton).

1911 Census
The Gardner family (parents Henry and Emma and 11 of their 13 children) were now living at 19 Sheepwash Lane, but there is no trace of William. One possibility (see below) is that he had enlisted in the army, and was serving with the South Staffs Regiment.

Marriage of William Gardner and Emily Lappage registered December quarter 1920 in Dudley.

Personal Data

William's younger brother, George Ernest, had enlisted with the South Staffs Regiment in November 1914. He was killed on 10th July 1917 near Ypres, and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground. www.tiptonremembers.net/index.php/gardner-george-ernest

William was awarded a Pension of 16/6d (16 shillings and 6 pence) per week, effective from 12th March 1919. This was the day after he was discharged to Class ‘Z’ Reserves – that is eligible for re-call to the colours in the event of hostilities recurring. This was to be a temporary award of 6 months, to 9th September 1919, but it appears that the pension was continued beyond this date. William's address was given as his family's home at 19 Sheepwash Lane, Tipton. It is likely that William’s widow, Emily, would have received a Widow’s Pension, but no records exist of any such award.

Action resulting in his death

William was de-mobbed from the Sherwood Foresters on 12th March 1919 having served for over 4 years. His health was already suspect as he as immediately awarded a pension which gave his disabilities as: (1) Gun Shot Wound to right axilla (armpit), and (2) Ventricular Disease of the Heart, both attributable to his war service.

William started civilian life again and was employed as a Labourer in an Iron Foundry, and married Emily Lappage in 1920. Just 2 years after being de-mobbed, on 6th April 1921, William died at 19 Sheepwash Lane. His Death Certificate gave the cause of death as “Heart Disease, caused by military service”, this was accepted by the Imperial War Graves Commission which provided the headstone.

As William’s Soldier’s Papers were lost during the Blitz in 1940 we cannot be sure of the precise nature of his service but he had the possibility of seeing action in many of the major actions of the war.

William’s entry on the Medal Roll (1914/1915 Star) shows his first number as 3/11552 in the South Staffs; this was the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion. This comprised of men who have served their time as regular full-time soldiers and are now serving as Reservists. This could explain why William cannot be traced on the 1911 Census.

This also explains his arrival in France in December 1914. If he had enlisted in August 1914, or been a Territorial, then he would not be abroad in December 1914. It is probable that he was a Reservist, re-called in August 1914, and after some refresher training joined the 1/South Staffs (per War & Victory Medal Roll) as a reinforcement for their severe losses at 1st Ypres.

William served in 1st South Staffs, 11th Sherwood Foresters, 17th Sherwood Foresters and finally 9th Sherwood Foresters. It is not known when or why he transferred between these battalions, but being injured generally plays a large part.

He had the opportunity to be involved in about every major battle of the war with the 1st South Staffs, at Neuve Chappelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert, Loos, Somme (at Mametz, Bazentin, High Wood, Delville Wood and Guillemont), Arras, then 3rd Ypres.

In November 1917. the 1st South Staffs were posted to Italy; the 11th Sherwoods also went to Italy at that time. It is easy to see a possible transfer from 1st South Staffs, but the route to the 17th Sherwoods is not as obvious as they never went to Italy. Was William wounded and evacuated from Italy?

The above is conjecture - he could have joined 11th Sherwoods and then the 17th Sherwoods before the 11th Sherwoods went to Italy, and so remain on the Western Front for all his service.

In February 1918, the Army was re-organised due to manpower shortages, a number of Battalions were dissolved and their manpower reallocated. The 17th Sherwoods were disbanded and the War Dairy for the 9th Sherwoods for 8th February says "Draft of 8 Officers and 149 Other Ranks from 17 Sherwoods arrive".

It seems likely that William was with the 17th Sherwoods when they were dissolved and hence joined his 4th and final battalion. It would seem likely that the Gun Shot Wound he received was during his service with the 9th Sherwoods – an outstanding record of service.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.