Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Wardle. William, always known as Bill was killed whilst his Battalion were in the Ypres Salient at Trench 50, an eye witness account stated that he was shot through the hand and heart, dying instantaneously. The War Diary for today records. ZILLEBEKE. At 8.45pm enemy opened heavy rifle fire all along the front, and simultaneously shelled supports with shrapnel, no reply by infantry. Artillery opened with shrapnel on their second line. At 9.05pm firing ceased.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 16th 1915

Fell into his comrade's arms - Swannington soldier killed in action.

News has been received by Mr John Wardle, collier at the Ellistown pit, who resides at Balmont Terrace, Main Street, Swannington, that his son, L-Corpl. William Wardle, of the 5th Leicesters (Territorials) was killed in action on Sunday, July 4th. He was 21 years of age and before the war was a collier employed at the South Leicestershire Colliery. He was a former scholar in the Wesleyan Sunday School at Swannington, teachers from which have called and expressed sympathy with the deceased’s father. His mother died some years ago.

The last letter written home by Wardle was dated June 19th, in which he said he was going on all right. They were having some grand weather out there. Billy Jones and Jim Blyth were also quite well. He added:

“I have not much news to tell you, except that the Germans want to know how we like the Lusitania and when we are going back to London.”

The sad news of Wardle’s death was conveyed in a letter from Pte. Wm. Jones, son of Mr Charles Jones, of Primrose Hill, Swannington. Writing to his mother on Sunday, July 4th, he says:

“I want you to take what I have to tell you as calmly as you can, for I am in great trouble. Poor old William Wardle got killed this morning (Sunday) at 12.45. He was killed by a bullet which went straight through his hand and heart and the chap who was with him caught him in his arms as he fell dead. Keep it quiet till dad gets home and then tell him to go down to Jink’s and break the news to the best of his ability. His death was instantaneous and his face looked quite comfortable as the stretcher bearers carried him down the trench in a water-proof sheet. He now lies on the stretcher, covered over with a blanket, about 20 yards from my post. A letter came for him from his girl at Sawbridgeworth soon after he was killed. J. Blyth and myself are burying him tonight just behind the firing line and we are burying the letter with him. The Sergt-Major has promised me that his belongings will be sent home. I can hardly realise yet that the poor chap has gone. When we get out of the trenches I shall miss his company and then I shall begin to realise it. I am sorry it will be a poor funeral for we shall have to bury him under rifle fire. The grave will be within (censored) yards of the Germans and they shell round about there every day. We shall have to bury him in the middle of the night, so we can’t be seen.

PS. Trench life is just about the same as when we started it, only William has this time proved to be an unlucky one. If any of his relatives wish to know anything more of how my old pal met his death I can tell them if they tell you to write and ask me.”

When at Swannington, the deceased soldier lived with his sister, Mrs Henry Jinks, in the Main Street.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 18th, 1916

SWANNINGTON MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Whitwick and Thringstone Citizen Corps, under Commander G. F. Burton, together with the Scouts, under Scoutmaster Armstrong, and the Swannington Scouts, on Sunday morning attended the memorial service at St. George’s Church, where the Rev. G. Robinson, the vicar, preached a special sermon on patriotism and sympathy with the relatives of the fallen soldiers of his parish, viz., Privates J. A. Johnson, Wm. Wardle, Walter Shaw, Alfred Smith, and _____ Buckley. Citizen Company Sergeant-Major J. Lester read the first lesson, and Citizen O. Geary the second. Miss Atkins ably played the Dead March in “Saul,” and two scouts sounded the “Last Post.” Corporal Toon and Private Robinson, both soldiers on active service took the Citizens’ salute on their return march.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 5/9/2017