A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Seven: Major W. H. Wardell, 39th Garhwal Rifles, a veteran of the Chin Hills 1892-93 expedition, for which he was recommended for a D.S.O., subsequently killed in action at Festubert, 24 November 1914

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Chin Hills 1892-93 (Lieutt., 39th Garhwalis) officially re-engraved naming, as often found with this clasp; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieutt., 39th Bl. Infy.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (Capt., Garhwal Rif.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Major, 1/39 Garhwal R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major); Delhi Durbar 1911 ‘Major W. H. Wardell, 2/39th G.’, contemporary engraved naming, generally good very fine or better, and probably a unique combination of medals to a Great War officer casualty (7) £1600-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

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Warren Henry Wardell was born on 30 August 1866, and educated at King’s School, Canterbury, Kent; and Pembroke College, Oxford. He obtained his first commission through the Militia on 21 December 1889, in the King’s Liverpool Regiment; before entering the Indian Army, being appointed to the 39th Garhwal Rifles in July 1891. Most of his service was passed with the 1st Battalion, of which he was Adjutant. He was for nearly six and a half years a Double-Company Commander in the 2nd Battalion, but returned to the 1st Battalion on 21 December 1912.

His first period of active service took him on the Chin Hills Expedition of 1892-93. Here he was recommended for a D.S.O., and mentioned in despatches ‘... for his unceasing activity against some of the most troublesome of the Syin tribe, which resulted in their being the first to surrender their firearms and submit to our terms.’ Afterwards served with the Malakand Field Force in the operations in Bajaur, including the night attack by the enemy on the perimeter camp at Nawagai, and subsequently with the Mohmand Field Force in the attack on the Bedmanai Pass, and in the operations in the Mittaiand Suran Valleys, and on the line of communications Tirah Expeditionary Force. He served in the South African War with the Mounted Infantry from December 1901 to August 1902, ‘being one of only fifteen Indian Army officers asked for by Lord Kitchener.’

He was reported missing at the defence of Festubert on the night of 23/24 November 1914, and subsequently presumed to have been killed on that occasion. His name is commemorated on the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial, France.

The following information is extracted from the regimental history: ‘The assault was commenced at about 3 a.m. by Major W. H. Wardell’s company, headed by Lieutenant R. G. G. Robson, R.E., Captain D. H. Acworth (attached 57th Rifles), and a party of seven bombers of the 57th Rifles, and closely followed by Captain F. G. E. Lumb and his company. Several traverses were taken by bomb and bayonet, and between 30 and 40 prisoners captured. The bombs being exhausted, Robson shouted to the Garhwali’s to charge. The leading men jumped over the barricade and went down the trench, as Captain Acworth relates,“like tigers”. After taking about 80 yards of trench, Wardell’s gallant assault slowed down owing to the congestion caused by German prisoners and the casualties of both sides.... Major Wardell, when last seen, was wounded, and from this time onward no trace of him was ever found.’

The following passage is extracted from The Royal Garhwal Rifles in The Great war: ‘I do not think that it has ever been definitely decided how Major Wardell was killed. He was wounded in his attack and was, I believe, able to get back to the first aid post. On his way back in the dark he took a wrong turning and so went up a trench held by the enemy. This was not surprising, as Major Wardell was short sighted, and the trenches at that part were intricate owing to part having been captured and the many saps which ran up to our trenches. As his body was never found I fancy that this is what happened. He was a great loss to the regiment, being a capable and keen officer and one intensely interested in his men.’

For conspicuous bravery on the night of 23/24 November 1914, Naik Darwan Sing Negi, 1/39th Garhwal Rifles was awarded a Victoria Cross, making him only the second Indian soldier ever to receive this honour.