Name
Frank Mardle
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/06/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Bombardier
17691
Royal Field Artillery
D Bty. 5th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND (TRANSPORT FARM)
VI. E. 10.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Lemsford Village Memorial, We are not aware of any Cromer Hyde memorial
Pre War
Frank was the son of George and Elizabeth of Cromer Hyde, Hatfield Herts., born in Lemsford(*1) born circa 1891.
The 1901 Census records Frank, aged 10, born in Lemsford and living with his parents George and Elizabeth and siblings at Cromer Hyde, Lemsford. His father, George is working as a cowman. By 1911 Frank was living at Berkley Gardens, Burton- On- Trent, Staffs. And working as a Domestic Gardner.
Officially recorded as born in Windsor, Berks(*1) and enlisted in London.
*1 believed to be a transcription error as census indicate that he was born in Lemsford.
Wartime Service
Frank was first a Gunner and then Acting Bombardier in the Royal field Artillery, with service number 17691. He landed in Frane on 30th August 1915.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of November 1915, recorded: “A very interesting letter from Frank Mardle, R.F.A., appeared in the “St Albans Times” a few weeks back.” and then in October 1916: “A short Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, September 20, in memory of those men belonging to this parish and neighbourhood, who have fallen in the war....... Frank Mardle.”
The Herts Advertiser dated 24thy June 1916, reported: “Mardle Funeral - Acting Bombardier F Mardle, R F A - Killed in Action – Eloquent Tribute from Commanding Officer.
Another member of our “patriotic family” has unfortunately been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice in the cause of right and his friends are left to mourn the loss of one who always had before him a high sense of duty and did not shrink from putting it into effect no matter at what risk. We refer to Acting Bombardier Frank Mardle, of D Battery 5th Brigade, R F A, son of Mrs Mardle of Cromer Hyde, Hatfield and half-brother of Mr Geo Smart of Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans. It was on Saturday last that Mrs Mardle received the sad news that her son had been killed in action on the morning of Sunday June 11th. The N C O and men of the Battery conveyed their sympathy and their regret at the loss of “a good N C O who was liked by the whole of the Battery”.
Fuller particulars of the accident and a splendid tribute to the gallantry of Acting Bombardier were contained in a letter received by Mrs Smart from the Officer Commanding his Battery, who wrote: “We are on a part of the front where there has been heavy fighting during the last fortnight. Through it all we have had to shoot the guns and carry ammunition practically all day and night, never getting more than about two or three hours sleep.
Practically all the time from the 2nd to the 11th June the day he was killed your brother did sterling work with never a thought of complaining and setting an example to the rest of the men working his gun which was excellent, and really the work they had to do was more than one was warranted to expect from men. Then, while almost at the muzzle of the gun pieces flew back into the gun pit, two large ones piercing the shield. Your brother was ‘laying’ at the time and pulled the trigger. The firing of the gun and burst of the shell were practically instantaneous. One large piece went right into the right side of the neck, and he was hit in several other places. He just fell on his back and died within a minute, never being conscious. I am sure he felt absolutely nothing because the expression on his face was so peaceful and quiet. Two other men were wounded at the same time. I have no hesitation in saying your brother was one of the nicest, best and most efficient men in the battery. That’s no exaggeration at all. We miss him very much in every way, and I shall find his place very difficult to fill. We buried him in a cemetery just in front of the battery and are making a cross to put up over his grave. I write to you myself, being the officer in command of the action in which Mardle was and beg you to accept on behalf of the other officers and myself and all N C Os and men of the
battery our deepest sympathy with you in your loss.
Writing to Mrs Mardle in reference to her son, the Sergeant states “I am very, very sorry to have to write to you about your very brave son, Frank Mardle. He was not only my pal but the most popular man in the whole battery. He died at his post doing his duty which he never failed to do well. I can assure you every man in the battery has the deepest sympathy for you in your great loss. He will be missed by us all.”
On the same day as that on which the sad news of Mardle’s death arrived Mr Smart received from his half-brother a letter in the course of which he wrote “We are in action again, same place and have had the most exciting time since we came out here. We relieved another battery last Tuesday week and it was fairly quiet until Friday. Fritz started shelling our trenches about nine o’clock last Friday morning and from until about midnight Sunday we were at it night and day. In fact we have not had a decent sleep since, as we have had to replenish our ammunition store in readiness for another attack. We were firing so fast that ammunition had to be brought up in daylight and Fritz was shelling the roads heavily at the time. The shells fell all round us but luckily nobody at the guns was hit. We had two direct on our pit but were so busy sending them over we took no notice at the time. The guns got so hot that the paint peeled off the muzzle. he Germans got into our frontline trenches, but suffered very heavy losses in doing so. Fritz paid very dearly for the little ground he gained and we are still worrying him. I am expecting to be relieved for a rest at the week-end but would rather stay here if there is anything doing.”
Awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal, & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Mardle (Mother) of Cromer Hyde, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Brother of Ernest Mardle who was also killed.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
