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Robert Ernest Wardell was born in Spencer Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England on 11th May 1887. He was the second child born to John William and Mary Ann Wardell but the oldest surviving child. He was expected to join the family Confectionery firm in the town but instead decided to become a chemist.He began working as an assistant chemist when he was 14 years old. He was 27 when he enlisted in the R A M C on 3rd August 1915. He arrived in France with the B E F on 7th September and served as a Private until 31 June 1916. After this time he was with the Royal Engineers (reg no. 197761) as a Sapper until 31 September 1916 and then as a Corporal until the end of the War. He was recruited to 178 Tunnelling Company. His training with mine rescue which he did in January 1916 would have been put to good use as he was to become an instructor in the use of Proto sets (used to protect against gases).His knowledge of chemistry and medical matters was also useful.
Robert was gassed but survived and returned to England where he pursued his studies and qualified as a Pharmaceutical Chemist on 8th October 1919. He owned a Chemist and Druggist shop in Chesterfield until he retired in 1967. He died in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in November 1972 aged 84. He was a lovely man with a great sense of humour.
His service medal card implies that he was a Corporal with the R A M C but I have found no evidence of this
Angela Bridgman (grandaughter)
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