WARDLE, Arthur

Rank: 
Acting Captain
Unit / Base: 
3 Commando
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
South Lancashire Regiment
Service: 
Army
Number: 
3659845 & 288231
Honours & Awards: 
Arthur Wardle MC
Sergeant Arthur Wardle, 4 Troop No.2 Commando, was one of the Commando contingent on Motor Launch ML 443 during the St Nazaire raid, March 1942 (Operation Chariot). Evacuated back to the the UK after the raid [1][2].
  • December 1942, Troop Sergeant Major, 2 Troop No. 2 Commando [3]
  • 30 July 1943 commissioned Second Lieutenant; attached to No. 3 Commando [4][5].  
  • August 1943, No. 3 Commando, Operation Baytown at Bova Marina, Italy [6]
  • 10 June 1944, Lieutenant, No.3 Commando, wounded by mortar fire at Amfreville [7].
  • April 1945, Acting Captain, No.3 Commando, awarded the Military Cross for gallant and distinguished service [8][9].
  • Recommendation: "On the night 28/29 April 1945 Captain Wardle’s Troop was the leading Troop of No. 3 Commando during the Elbe crossing, The leading Buffalo containing Captain Wardle and twenty men of his Troop came under heavy fire from Spandaus and a 20 mm gun during the crossing, and landed in an exposed position overlooked by the enemy. Although under heavy shell and small arms fire Captain Wardle collected his scattered craft load together and led them skilfully to the unit RV with the loss of only two men wounded. Captain Wardle then led No. 3 Commando into Lauenburg and by extremely skilful use of ground so manoeuvred his Troop that they were able to rush the dominating ground overlooking Lauenburg, killing four of the enemy, wounding nine and taking thirty five prisoners, without loss to themselves. Throughout this operation Captain Wardle was continually at the head of his Troop showing complete disregard for his personal safety, and unquestionably his dash and lightning decisions achieved the maximum success with the minimum casualties" [9].
  • Staff of the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre at St Ives, precise dates not known to this archive [10].
  • Pre war occupation - shopkeeper [6].
  • Post war member of the Commando Association from Formby, Lancashire [1].
Sources
[1] Commando Association newsletter 90 issued March 1990.
[2] St. Nazaire Society record of raiders.
[3] CVA Gallery No. 2 Cdo. troop images.
[4] London Gazette 36191, page 4353.
[5] CVA Gallery No. 3 Cdo. Officers images.
[6] When Shall their Glory Fade, author Major James Dunning.
[7] Storm from the Sea, author Brig. Peter Young.
[8] London Gazette 37204, page 3955.
[9] National Archives file WO373/55.
[10] Brief History of the CMWTC in CVA Gallery [View....].
[11] Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 90 (1990).
[Image] Collection of L/Cpl. John 'Ken' Emmerson (No.2 Cdo., No.12 Cdo., and Bde HQ).
 

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