This blog posting has been prepared by one of our volunteers, Ann Eales.
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The CWGC website has this information:-
Rank: Private
Service No: 53445
Date of Death: 09/04/1917
Age: 38
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry 15th Bn.
Grave Reference: C. 57.
Cemetery: COJEUL BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL
Additional Information: Husband of Amelia Cadwallader, of 64, Jeffcock Rd, Wolverhampton, son of the late John and Sophia Cadwallader.
The Monmoor & Victoria Works Memorial inscription says:
This tablet was erected by their proud and grateful employers to the honoured memory of the following brave men of the Monmoor and Victoria Works who gave their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1918.
It includes the name of H. Cadwallader. The company at this works, Bayliss & Jones, produced ornamental ironwork.
Horace Cadawallader’s army records survive, and include the Short Service Attestation Form showing he was living at 29 Haden Hill, Wolverhampton, age 36 yrs 11 months, Clerk, and willing to be enlisted for General Service (RAMC). The Descriptive Report on Enlistment Form says he was age 37 yrs, height 5ft 7½ inches. Married to Amelia Harrhy, at Wolverhampton Registry Office, Child Joan, born at Rogerstone 21.1.1915. A younger child Betty, born 18.8.1916 at Wolverhampton, is recorded on a second form.
He joined the10th South Staffs, at Lichfield on 20.6.1916, was allocated the Regimental Number 32497, was at Rugeley Camp 22.6.1916 and 9th Training Reserve 31.8.1916, at Rugeley Camp he was “Cpl acting unpaid” on 9.9.1916. From Rugeley Camp he was posted to the Durham Light Infantry, was sent to Etaples 24.12.1916, and posted missing on 5.2.1917.
The Field Service, Army Form B2090A “Report of the Death of a soldier” is typed up with details, including date of death 9th April 1917, in the field (France), Burial report dated 27th April 1917, made by GOC 21st division. Spaces to state whether he made a will or not are completed.
His sister Miss E Cadwallader’s letter, undated, from 3 Larches Lane says:
We have just had the news from a friend that that my brother Pte H Cadwallader, 6 Platoon B Company, 15th Durham Light Infantry BEF France is missing. We should feel indeed grateful if you could give us any details of his fate and also if possible the date he was missing. If you could let us know this, it would greatly relieve our anxiety.
A letter dated 2/5/17, from Horace’s wife, Amelia Cadwallader, asked if definite information was available.
The records also include a list of his effects, including “steel mirror, photos, calendar, letters, note case”, which were sent to Mrs Amelia Cadwallader of 29 Haden Hill Wolverhampton on November 12th 1917. There is a receipt for the Memorial Scroll sent to Amelia, dated October 14th1920. A second, typed, letter from Amelia dated 11 March 1922, sent from 64 Jeffcock Road to CSOF (Chief Superintendent Ordnance Factories), states that it was strange that the Memorial Plaque had been sent to another member of the family, and his widow hadn’t received one. Investigations were made, though it is not clear how this matter was resolved. Paperwork in the record shows the plaque had been sent to her at 3 Larches Lane, her address when she completed and returned the Statement of All Living relatives.
Horace Cadwallader’s birth was registered at Wolverhampton in the quarter ended March 1879. The 1881 census has Horace, age 2 (mistakenly identified as a daughter called Florence) living at 114 Dudley Road with his parents, John age 46, a Grocer Shopkeeper born at Wolverhampton like all members of the household, Sophia E his wife age 39, Walter P, age 17, an engineer & Fitter, Herbert J, age 15, Occupation Clerk at Corrugated Iron Works, Frank C, age 13, Sidney age 10, and Edith age 7, all scholars, Ada age 4 and also Eva J Laxton, a Visitor, age 16.
When the1891 Census was taken the Cadwalladers were living at Church Lane, Wolverhampton. Household Members were John age 53 Clerk, Sophia E age 49, Herbert age 25, Clerk, Sidney age 21, Edith age 18, Ada G age 14 and Horace age 12 scholar.
At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at 1, Beckminster Terrace, Upper Penn, Wolverhampton. The household members were John age 66, Retired Grocer, Sophia E his wife age 59, Edith A, age 28, Ada G, age 24, and Horace age 22, Clerk in Fencing Manfrs. (Bayliss and Jones doubtless), and Frederick G Eaton Visitor age 22, Clerk Iron Founders.
By 1911 Sophia Elizabeth was widowed, living at Sedgley Nr Dudley, with Ada Gertrude, age 34, single, and Horace age 32, also single, occupation Commercial Clerk at a Fencing Manufacturers.
Horace’s marriage to Amelia Harrhy was registered at Wolverhampton in the 3rd quarter of 1914.