Heworth St. Mary

Pauline Priano has submitted the following information:-

Thomas Wardle was born April 20th 1887 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, the eldest of 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters, born to William Wardle 1861 of Blyth, Northumberland and his wife Mary Kelly, native of Felling, Gateshead born 1862. His parents were married in the district of Gateshead, during the first quarter of 1887. His family lived at 78 Waggonway Street, Heworth in 1891, by 1911 they had moved to 51 Back High Street, Felling. At the age of 13 Thomas was working at the colliery as a pony driver below ground.

Thomas Wardle served as Able Seaman Z/10425 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H. M. S. Vernon during the Great War, exact date of enlistment unknown. On the outbreak of war Vernon was used to carry out torpedo trials, for extensive research and development of new anti-submarine devises, mines and ship’s electronics and to train new recruits for the Navy.

Able Seaman Z/10425 Thomas Wardle died of pneumonia, aged 30 years, July 12th 1918, his father was informed the following day. His body was transported to his home town and interred at Heworth (St Mary) Churchyard, S. E. sector. His military headstone bears an additional inscription paid for by his father, living at 19, High Street, Felling, Gateshead, which cost 10 pence and reads, “R. I. P.”.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Thomas Wardle is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and on our List of Ships’ crews

H.M.S. Vernon TorpedoTraining School
The CWGC entry for Able Seaman Wardle