Pte George Hedley Wolfendale

[dannybou]

Good day

I am researching George Hedley Wolfendale DOB 27 Oct 1899, a chaplain with the Canadian Chaplain Services who died in 1944 in a POW camp. In reviewing his WWII service file, I see he had WWI service with the British Army from May 1915 to Jan 1919 and was awarded the BWM and Victory Medal. Unfortunately there is no mention of his regimental number or his unit. I know he enlisted as a Private and wasn't a clergyman yet, was born in Fairford, Gloucester and his father was a physician also named George. I have located him in the 1901 and 1911 England census, have searched Ancestry UK military records and although there are some George Wolfendale's listed, I am simply not sure which one it is. He was awarded an MBE in 1945. Any assistance would be appreciated. With thanks

Danny

[Cameron2165]

Hi Danny,

I've had a look on Ancestry and can find only 3 MICs for George Wolfendale

and 2 of those were awarded the 14/15 Star, so the only 1 with the pair is

62566 Pte George Wolfendale, Lancashire Fusiliers. Link to Ancestry -

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=medalrolls&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=george+hedley&gsln=wolfendale&msbdy=1899&msbpn__ftp=Fairford%2c+Gloucestershire%2c+England&msbpn=83820&msbpn_PInfo=8-|0|0|3257|3251|0|0|0|5265|83820|0|&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=lsf&cp=11&pcat=MIL_AWARDS&fh=1&h=4922766&recoff=9+10&ml_rpos=2

May not be him, but I can't see anyone else

All the best

Cam

[Cameron2165]

Sorry wrong one. Try this

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=medalrolls&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=george+hedley&gsln=wolfendale&msbdy=1899&msbpn__ftp=Fairford%2c+Gloucestershire%2c+England&msbpn=83820&msbpn_PInfo=8-&rank=1&pcat=MIL_AWARDS&fh=1&h=4922766&recoff=9+10&ml_rpos=2

Cam

[jdoyle]

Always a possibility he didn't serve overseas. A Canadian website news clipping suggests he enlisted aged 15.

I can see 4 MICs on Ancestry but one has a middle initial V (A George Veech Wolfendale died in Blackpool 1942) and discount this one.

17594 George Wolfendale was KIA 23/4/1917.

1766 KO Lancs later T/384879 ASC enlisted 7/8/1914; entered France 14/2/1915; discharged 25/9/1919. SWB entry lists sickness.

That just leaves 62566 Lancs Fusiliers as identified by Cam as a possible.

The brother of George Hedley Wolfendale, Noel Martin Wolfendale (1895-1933), appears to have served with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. Both parents appear to have died by the time George came back during WW2.

Johnny

[dannybou]

Thanks for the replies. Seems his service record didn't survive the WWII bombing.

Danny

[jdoyle]

No service or pension records to be seen on Ancestry.

there are 2 family trees on Ancestry which appear to be more focused on Noel than George. They may not know about George and his life in Canada and subsequent death in WW2.

Johnny

[dannybou]

Interesting... I may yet contact that family but would prefer locating descendants here in Canada first. I know he had two children from his marriage and Wolfendale isn't a very common surname here.

Danny

[dannybou]

I just found a piece of information I had missed. Mind you his WWII service file is damaged by mold and mildew. I can read the following:

1915-1919 Imperial Army - France May (parts are missing of the page here) (wounded Oct. 23rd)

Danny

[Guest idodson]

Hi Danny

If you are still searching for info on George Hedley Wolfendale, then I may be able to help.

GHW was my grandfather's cousin and I have lots of info on him (and also his father, also called George) - I am also researching his family in Canada to see if he has any living decendents there (I am in UK).

You are right, Wolfendale is an uncommon name in Canada, but there are lots in Lancashire and Manchester in North of UK where GHW family were from originally.

Even before going to Italy in WW2 he made news when he was stationed here in Surrey - lots more if you need it (I have a short film of him).

I am new to GWForum so not sure if this is best place to exchange info on GHW - would need to mail docs to you if you are still interested in GHW.

I will check back on this thread for your reply.

Best wishes

Isobel