Royal Air Force, 4 May 1918
Synopsis of Life and Military Service
Matthew William Wardale was born on 21 March 1883 at Boundary House, Newark Road, Lincoln to his parents Matthew and Caroline Clayton or Wardale, his father being employed as a General Gardener at the date of his birth, although he is not shown as having a middle name on his registration of birth records. On 4 June 1883, he was baptised at St. Botolph’s Church, Lincoln. There is little information about his early life, although it is known that in the 1891 census, when he was around 8 years of age, he was resident at 145 Newark Road, Lincoln which may have been the house in which he was born.
By 1901, around the age of 18 years, he was a Hotel worker, cleaning boots and shoes and residing at 11 Derby Road, Nottingham with the Jamieson family which appears to have been a small family run Public House / Hotel.
On 16 November 1904, Matthew (21) married Alice Dale (23), a Domestic Servant at St. Mary’s Church, Ilkeston, Derbyshire. She had a son at this time named Harry Dale who was born in 1902, it is unknown who the father of the child was as he is un-named on the birth certificate.
In 1905 his daughter Ethel was born.
Around 1907, while still working for the Jamiesons he took over as manager for the ‘Horse and Groom Hotel’, 2 St. Peters Square, Nottingham
In 1911 his son Stanley was born.
On 31 January 1915, he took over as landlord of the Earl of Lincoln Arms, Woodborough Road, Nottingham.
On 27 December 1916, Matthew joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Photographer, attached to the photographic section and was posted to The Curragh, Ireland.
On 1 July 1917, he was promoted.
About noon on Saturday, 4 May 1918, Matthew, along with the pilot, Serjeant William Geipel boarded the R.E.8 aircraft, serial number E10 and following take off, climbed to around 400 feet, heading in the direction of Kildare. Several minutes later, for an unknown reason, the aircraft entered a spin, which William, the pilot of the aircraft was unable to get out of due to the low altitude. It then crashed to the ground bursting into flames. On arrival of the witnesses, they found the aircraft badly damaged and fiercely ablaze. They managed to pull Matthew Wardale from the wreckage but it appears that William Geipel could not be retrieved at the time due to the intense flames. When the fire was extinguished, both were found to be deceased.
On 10 May 1918, Matthew was conveyed in his coffin on top of a gun-carriage to the Nottingham Church Cemetery, a firing party coming from the nearby village of Clipstone. The service was conducted by the Rev. E.J. Bardsley (vicar of St. Andrew’s), and there was a large and representative gathering at the grave-side.
The following week, an inquest was held into their deaths, the result of which found no blame attached to either airman. (A report on this inquest can be found below.)
Following his death, his widow Alice was shown in the Probate Calendar on 30 July 1918 in Nottingham as being the joint Legatee to his belongings along wath a Frank Pickering which amounted to £2155. It is unknown what connection Frank Pickering was to Matthew Wardale. His unpaid wages and allowances along with the War Gratuity also went to them including his children.
Nottingham Journal and Express
Extract from the above publication dated Thursday 9 May 1918 :-
NOSE DIVE OF 500 FEET
Well-known City Publican Killed.
Keen regret is felt amongst a wide circle of friends at the tragic death of Mr. Matthew William Wardle (sic), who became landlord of the Earl of Lincoln Arms, Woodborough-road, on 31 January, 1915, and for eight years prior to that was manager for Mr. Jameson 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 from 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.
Bodies Brought Home
The funeral of the pilot took place at Hartlepool yesterday. Mr. Wardle’s body arriving at 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.
Nottingham Journal and Express
Extract from the above publication dated Saturday 11 May 1918 :-
AEROPLANE WREATH
AT FUNERAL OF NOTTINGHAM VICTIM OF FLYING ACCIDENT
Among the floral tributes at the funeral at Nottingham Church Cemetery yesterday 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, 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.
The Inquest
Extract from The Kildare Observer dated 11 May 1918 :-
Flying Accident at the Curragh.
Dr. Kenna, Coroner for North Kildare, held an inquest at Newbridge Military Barracks on Monday morning on the bodies of Serjeant-Pilot W. Gerpel (sic) and First Air Mechanic M.W. Wardell (sic), both of the Royal Flying Corps, who were killed while flying in an aeroplane over the Curragh on Saturday. Head-Constable Sweeney represented the R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary).
Captain Ponsonby, of Beresford Barracks, deposed he knew the deceased, Matthew Wardell. He was in the 19th Training Squadron, Royal Air Service, Photograph Section. I saw him alive about 11.50 on Saturday morning. He was in the passenger seat of an aeroplane No.E10. I saw the Aeroplane departing from the aerodrome at the Curragh Camp, and kept the machine under observation for about three minutes. It went in the direction of Kildare. The machine was about 400 ft. from the ground when I last observed it, and it seemed to be going all right. I hurried immediately to the scene of the accident.
- Coroner – How do you know there was an accident?
- Witness – I saw the fire. For the three minutes I was observing the aeroplane was going all right. I suddenly saw some officers running in the direction of the ambulance. I turned again to see the machine. Just then, hearing a terrific crash, I observed a volume of fire and smoke. The ambulance was despatched at once. I went immediately to the scene of the accident.
- Head-Constable Sweeney – In a motor car?
- Witness – Yes I went to the Stone Barracks and found the body of the deceased. First Air Mechanic Wardell had already been dragged from the wreckage. He was dead at the time. There were a number of people around the machine attempting to extinguish the fire. The deceased was married.
- Captain Inglefied said – I knew the deceased William Gerpel, who was a sergeant pilot in the Royal Air Force, and was aged about 25 or 26 years (20 years old). I saw him about 10 minutes to 12 on Saturday morning in the same aeroplane as the deceased Matthew Wardell. I walked up and spoke to him just before he left the ground. He had done approximately 62 hours flying in the Royal Air Force and he was quite competent to fly the machine. He had flown the machine before. On arriving at the scene of the accident I observed Sergeant Gerpel’s dead body lying back in the pilot’s seat. Sergeant Gerpel was not married. Wardell was married, and, I think, has three children.
When Corporal Charles Wilkinson was called Head-Constable Sweeney said he wished to call him owing to some remarks which had been made. He wished to show that nothing had been left undone.
- Corporal Wilkinson stated – I was at the scene of the accident about two minutes after it occurred To Head-Constable Sweeney – The only persons present at the time were two gentlemen on horseback. The engine was pointing to Kildare. The engine was burning fiercely at the time.
- Head-Constable Sweeney – The flames at the time would prevent anyone rushing forward to the aeroplane? – Yes.
- Coroner – In the circumstances nothing possible could have been done to save the men’s lives? – No, sir. To a juror – I observed a slight movement in the arm of one of the men. The other was dead. The movement was in the hand of Wardell. I believe Gerpel was dead at the time. I believe nothing could be done to save either of the men’s lives.
- Coroner – That is your opinion honestly expressed?
- Witness – Yes, sir.
Dr. Joseph Roantree deposed that shortly after 12 o’clock on the 4th inst. he saw the bodies of the deceased in Newbridge barracks – William Gerpel and Matthew Wardell. They were both dead. Sergt. Gerpel’s body was extensively burned over the face, legs and arms. The skull was fractured severely. He was comatose, and asphyxiated by the fumes. I believe the cause of death was coma, probably accelerated by asphyxia, due to the burning fumes of the petrol. To the Coroner – The fall to the ground fractured his skull, and death may have been accelerated by asphyxiating fumes. Coma was produced by the fracture of the skull.
Dr. Roantree further stated – Matthew Wardell had extensive burns over the face, hands and right leg. He had a severe contusion on the left side of the chest, and over the heart area end on this side seven ribs were broken. I believe in his case death was due to syncope, the result of the severe blow on the heart, and probably accelerated by the fumes.
The Coroner having reviewed the evidence, the jury found a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. They believed that in both cases, following the injuries from the fall, death had been accelerated by the burning petrol causing asphyxiation.
Court of Enquiry
Following the Royal Air Force, Court of Enquiry, they concluded that “The Court having considered the evidence and viewed the scene of the accident are of the opinion that the pilot, No.100045 Sergeant Geipel, W. and 1/A.M. 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 Sergeants in charge of the engine or the Sergeant in charge of the Rigging.”
Family
Matthew William Wardale was born on 21 March 1883 at Boundary House, Newark Road, Lincoln. The following family information is taken from the 1891 Census, Pension Card and Christening Records.
His family is shown as follows :-
- Wife: Alice Dale or Wardale, born 15 April 1881.
- Son: Henry Dale, born 5 December 1902. (Born before marriage)
- Daughter: Ethel May, born 30 April 1905.
- Son: Stanley William, born 10 August 1911.
- Father: Matthew Wardale, born c.1850 at Binbrook, Lincolnshire – Grocer.
- Mother: Caroline Clayton or Wardale, born c.1848 at Lowth, Lincolnshire.
- Brother: Edward, born c.1973 at Lincolnshire.
- Sister: Ethel Caroline, born c.1886 at Lincolnshire.
Information suggests that Matthew may have been the father of a son, Leslie, born in April 1912 at Sculcoats (Kinston Upon Hull), Yorkshire to Ida Evelyn Bissell with whom he worked. Leslie was adopted by his mothers brother Samuel and his wife Emma.
Addresses
The following addresses have been ascertained for Matthew Wardale which have been taken from the 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census, Newspapers and his R.A.F. Pension Card :-
- 1891: 145 Newark Road, Lincolnshire.
- 1901: 11 Derby Road, Nottingham.
- 1911: Hotel at 2 St Peters Square, Nottingham.
- 1915: 70 Woodborough Road, Nottingham.
Medals
As Matthew did not serve in a War Zone, he was not awarded any medals for his service.
Memorials
Matthew Wardale is honoured and remembered on the following memorials :-
- St. Andrews Church Memorial, Mansfield Road/Mapperley Road, Nottingham NG3 5AD.
Remarks
There are various spellings of the surnames of the two airmen killed in this accident, however, the correct spelling are Geipel and Wardale.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Matthew William Wardale.
- Find a Grave website: Matthew William Wardale.
- A Street Near You website: Matthew William Wardale.
- Lives of the First World War: Matthew William Wardale.
References
- The Kildare Observer dated 11 May 1918, page 6.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- R.A.F. Casualty Cards.
- Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 9 May 1918, page 2.
- Extract of Birth Certificate for Matthew Wardale. (Ancestry Family Tree)
- English Select Births and Christenings. (Ancestry)
- 1891 Census.
- 1901 Census.
- 1911 Census.
- Register of Soldiers Effects
- Nottingham Journal and Express, dated 9 May 1918, page 3.
- Nottingham Journal and Express, dated 11 May 1918, page 3.
- National Probate Calendar.
- England Select Marriages (Ancestry)
- Derbyshire, Church of England Marriages and Banns. (Ancestry)
- Military Pension Card. (Western Front Association)
- R.A.F. Muster Roll.
Groups
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart.
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