UDALE, RICHARD
This photograph was found on his body and sent to his mother[2c].
It is reproduced with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser
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Source |
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CWGC |
SDGW |
Uttoxeter Advertiser |
Other |
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Parents |
Mrs. Sarah Ann Hague |
Yes |
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Mrs. Stephen Udale |
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2a |
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Position in the family |
Had at least one brother and some sisters |
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1e |
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Where born |
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire |
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Yes |
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3 |
When born |
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Address |
Parents: 16 Blacksmith Yard, Balance Street, Uttoxeter |
Yes |
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2b |
3 |
Mother: Blacksmith’s Yard, Uttoxeter |
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1e |
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Uttoxeter |
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Yes |
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Spouse |
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Children |
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Employment Before Joining up |
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Where enlisted |
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordhire |
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3 |
Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire |
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Yes |
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Regiment |
North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) |
Yes |
Yes |
2a, 2b |
1, 3 |
Formerly 4208, ‘C’ Company, North Staffordshire |
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1 |
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Unit |
1st/6th Bn. (4208) |
Yes |
Yes |
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1/6th (T.F.) Bn. |
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3 |
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Rank |
Private |
Yes |
Yes |
2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f |
1, 3 |
Service Number |
241281 |
Yes |
Yes |
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1, 3 |
Date of Death |
1 July 1916 |
Yes |
Yes |
2b, 2d, 2e, 2f |
1, 3 |
Age at time of death |
20 |
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2d, 2e |
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18 |
Yes |
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Where Killed or died |
Gommecourt |
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2e |
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Gommecourt, Somme |
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3 |
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Gommecourt Wood |
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2d |
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France/Flanders |
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Yes |
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How he died |
Killed in Action |
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Yes |
2e |
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Missing |
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2a, 2b |
1 |
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Location of Grave or Memorial |
Thiepval Memorial for the Missing Pier and Face 14 B and 14 C. |
Yes |
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4 |
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Uttoxeter Town War Memorial (Market Place) |
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3, 4 |
Awards |
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We have not established when he joined-up, but we do know that on the 18th of August 1915 the Uttoxeter Advertiser reported that he was serving with the 6th battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment[3].
At the end of July 1916 his parents were told that he had been missing since the 1st of July. He had only been in France for about four months[2a].
Major Odling an officer in the 6th North Staffordshire Regiment wrote a letter to Richard’s mother and the Uttoxeter Advertiser published an extract as follows[2b]:
“I much regret that I can offer very little hope that your son is either a prisoner of war or wounded in hospital, but should any news of him be received I will at once let you know. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss.”
He died at Gommecourt on the 1st day of the Somme battle, but his body was not found until a year later. At that point, the photograph reproduced above was recovered from his body and sent to his mother. It was then published by the Uttoxeter Advertiser[2b].
In common with so many of the Uttoxeter men who died at Gommecourt on that day, he has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
The Thiepval Memorial | |
Richard’s family mourned him for years:
This touching notice was posted in the Uttoxeter Advertiser in July 1917 to mark the first anniversary of his death. His family was troubled by the thought of how he died. |
UDALE. – In Affectionate Remembrance of Pte. R. Udale, who fell at Gommecourt Wood on July 1, 1916, aged 20. We often sit and think of him, And think of how he died, To think he could not say good-bye Before he closed his eyes. |
This was posted in the Uttoxeter Advertiser in July 1918. The words are very poignant. Note that this notice was posted by Richard’s Mother, Father, Brother, Sisters, Granny, Aunts and Uncles. A lot of people missed him.. |
UDALE. – In Loving Memory of my dear son, Pte. R. Udale, killed in action at Gommecourt, July 1, 1916, aged 20. There’s a lonely grave in France where a young hero sleeps; There’s a cottage home in England where a mother sits and weeps. A son more precious than pure gold, We little thought his time so short when he on furlough came; Off to the front he bravely went, never to return again - From Mother, Father, Brother, Sisters, Granny, Aunts and Uncles. |
This was posted in July 1919 to mark the third anniversary of his death |
UDALE. – In Loving Memory of our dear Son, Pte. Richard Udale, who was killed in action on July 1, 1916. A loving son and brother kind, We always have him in our mind; His loving ways and smiling face, No one can ever fill his place. This day brings back to memory A loved one called to rest; Only those who think of him Are those who loved him best - Fondly remembered by his Mother and Father, Brother and Sisters, Aunts and Grannie. |