In Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of K/32134 Stoker 1st Class John William Wardle, serving on H.M.S. Britannia with the Royal Navy who died 09/11/1918.

The son of Graham and Mary Wardle, of 6, Chamberlain Street, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne.

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

John was born on December 1st 1893. He was living with his parents, Graham and Mary at 1, Chamberlain Street, Crawcrook on Tyne when he enlisted in the Royal Naval Division on 14th November 1914 and was allotted number Tyneside Z/1564. He was noted as having Psoriasis marks all over his body.

John joined the Hawke Battalion on 3rd May 1915 and was invalided to the UK from Gallipoli on 15th October 1915 suffering from Gastritis.

He transferred to the Royal Navy on 7th April 1916 and joined HMS Britannia on 25th July 1916. John died on 9th November 1918 from the effects of wounds received when HMS Britannia was torpedoed by a U-Boat.

John William Wardle is remembered at Ryton on R33.01 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.