Pte 22298 Frederick Charles Yardley

• Age: 18
• From: Coventry
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 22nd February 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc
  Panel Ref: I.D.13

22298 Pte. Frederick Charles YARDLEY, 20^th Battalion, KLR.

Frederick Charles Yardley was born in Coventry on the 22nd December 1897, the youngest of four children born to Thomas Wallace Yardley and his wife Hannah Elizabeth (nee Evitts). His parents married on the 16th March 1889 at St. Thomas' Church, Kersley, Coventry. Thomas was a 26 year old watchmaker of 60 Craven Street, his father, Thomas was also a watchmaker, whilst, Hannah, was aged 23 of 59 Craven Street, her father, Charles, was also a watchmaker. Frederick was baptised on the 16th March 1898 at St. Thomas' Church, Kersley, Coventry. 

In 1891, his mother and father, who was a “watch dial painter”, lived at 36 Mount Street, Coventry with their newborn son, Arthur Wallace showing as born in 1891.

By the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at 57 Craven Street, Coventry. Both parents were present, Frederick's father, Thomas, was now 37 years of age and was born in Coventry, whilst his mother, Hannah, was 35 and also born in Coventry as were their four children - Arthur W. aged 10, Ethel aged 8, Eva aged 5 and Frederick C. aged 3 years. 1898).

Frederick’s father, Thomas, died, aged 38, in 1902 and his wife remarried to Samuel Green  in 1909, in Coventry. Samuel was born in 1863 in Coventry. Samuel already had at least one child from a previous marriage., and on the 1901 Census was living with his wife, Mary, and three sons at 17 Sutcliffe Street, Liverpool. 

The 1911 Census finds Hannah and Samuel Green are living at 41 Malvern Road, off Sheil Road, Liverpool. They advise that they have been married for one year. Samuel, aged 48, is employed as a sanitary inspector with Liverpool Corporation. His mother, Hannah, is aged 45. Also present in the household are; Samuel’s son Arthur Green a 15 year old office boy with a cotton broker, Hannah’s daughter, Eva Yardley a 15 year old apprentice in a gold pen marking company and Frederick Charles Yardley aged 13 and a schoolboy. 

On the 07^th November 1914, Frederick attested at Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion as Private 22298. He gave his age as 19 years and 155 days (he was in truth just 16 years of age) and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being five feet six inches tall, weighed 116lbs, with a 35" chest, was.  of fresh complexion, had grey eyes, light brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.  He gave his next of kin as his stepfather, Samuel Green, 41 Malvern Road, Liverpool, the name of his brother, Arthur Wallace Yardley was later added, probably after Samuel's death.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

On 21^st February 1916 Frederick was wounded in action in France. He was admitted to 5 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his wounds the next day. 

20th Battalion War Diary

Maricourt

20th February - In trenches. On relief the Battalion, less 1st Company, proceeded to ETINEHEM arriving at Billets at 2 a.m. The remaining company (No.4) took over 'U' Works under the command of O.C.

Maricourt Defences

ETINEHEM

21 February - 10 a.m. Insepctions by Company commanders of arms, equipment, helmets, etc. Causalty Wounded 1 O.R. in 'U' Works (died in CCS). (U was just an identifier as further to the East was 'R' and 'S'.       

Frederick now rests at Corbie Communal Cemetery, Grave I D 13, close to where No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station had stood.

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

A report details that Frederick's name was recorded at St Thomas' Parish Church in Coventry:

WAR SHRINE FOR ST THOMAS'S PARISH

The dedication of the war shrine for St Thomas's Parish, Coventry, took place at the Parish Church on Sunday by the Bishop of Worcester, who, after the shortened evening service gave a suitable address to a large gathering of people, and afterwards inspected the Church Lads' Brigade. The shine had been asked for by a number of parishioners, and the idea was energetically taken up by the Vicar and a small committee. There are 430 names inscribed on the shrine, 30 of whom have made the supreme sacrifice, the names of the latter being read out by the Bishop before the dedication. The war shrine bears the following names of those who have fallen: ...., FC Yardley, .....

His photograph appeared in the Coventry Graphic on Friday 10th March 1916;

KILLED IN ACTION

PTE. F.C. YARDLEY 

News has been recieved that Private Frederick Charles Yardley the youngest son of the late Mr. Thomas W. Yardley and Mrs. Yardley (nee Evitts) formerly of Craven Street has been killed in action. The deceased offered himself for enlistment shortly after the outbreak of the war, but on account of his youth was several times rejected. Eventually he joined the 20th Battlion, King's Liverpool Regiment at the age of 16 years and proceeded to France some months ago. In a letter to the deceased's sister, Sergt. C.B. Ambler says:

"The death occurred as a result of wounds caused by shrapnel bursting over the trenches. It was indeed a great shock to us all to hear of his death. When he was taken away shortly after, we expected that he would be back amongst us in the course of a few weeks, for we thought his injuries were very slight. There is one consolation I can offer you, he died a heroes death on behalf of his country. He was an exceptionally cheery lad and was respected by us all. He was under me for something like 12 months and I always found him willing, honest and cheery. On behalf of all his comrades and myself may I express to you our great sorrow for his demise. 

Sergt. Laird also writing to Miss Yardley says; I had no idea that the wound was a serious one, your brother showed such spendid pluck. He was popular with his fellow men and officers, we greatly regret his loss and wish to send you sincere sympathy. 

The sister from the hospital has written that the deceased received severe wounds and died 3 hours after admission. He was buried in the cemetery upon a hill nearby.      

Soldiers Effects, Army pay of £3 12s 3d was shared by his brother Arthur, sisters Ethel and Eva, Pension to sister Eva. A £5 War Gratuity went to his sister Eva. His personal effects were sent to his brother Arthur, then living at 56 Breckfield Road North, Liverpool, together with Frederick’s 3 medals. 

Personal items returned:-  Diary, writing ?, cigarette case, metal match box, disc, whistle, 2 farthings, 2 bullets

On 18^th July 1920, Arthur Wallace swore a declaration to the effect that Frederick’s parents were dead (his mother, Hannah, died, aged 49, in 1915) and listing Arthur’s family as Arthur, and their sisters Ethel, then 27 years old and living in Fareham, Hampshire, and Eva, 22 years, living at 55 Canning Street, Liverpool. 

Birth records show Frederick as born in 1897 but when he enlisted he gave his age as 19 years 5 months, i.e. born in 1895 - he was one of the many who told lies about his age in order to enlist.  

On the 1921 Census at 41 Malvern Road, step-father Samuel was aged 58 and iving with his new wife, Louise Frances, aged 44, and son Arthur, aged 25, a stores clerk.  

We currently have no further information on Frederick Charles Yardley, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.