Cpl 22470 Robert McArdle

• Age: 32
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 21st March 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Bay 3

Robert McArdle was born at West Derby on the 27th July 1884 and was baptised at St.Paul's R.C. Church, West Derby on the 04th August. He was the son of Henry McArdle and his wife Mary (nee Bullen). His father was born in Liverpool and his mother in Bootle. They were married at St.Francis Xavier's R.C. Church, Everton on 10th April 1877.

Ten children were born to the marriage; Joseph Henry (born 1880), Henry Angelo (born 1881), Mary Catherine (born 1883), Robert (born 1884), Etheldreda Mary (born 1886), Harold (born 1887), Laura Angela (1888-1889), Hugh Francis (born 1889), Winifred Mary (1892-1912) and Peter Paul (born 1893).

His father was a merchant dealing in paper, canvas and jute. In 1911 his business address was 24 Irwell Chambers, Fazakerley Street, Liverpool.

The family were living at Haydon Villa, Marlborough Road, West Derby in 1881.

The family are found at Ashleigh, Sandown Park, Wavertree, in 1891. Robert is aged 6 and lives with his parents, six siblings and three servants. His father is a 38 year old paper merchant and his mother is 35 years of age. His siblings are recorded as; Joseph H. aged 10, Henry A. is 9, Mary C. is 8, Ethelreda is 5, Harold is 3 and Hugh F. is 1.    
The family are still living at Ashleigh in 1901 although the address is given as Rathbone Road, Wavertree. Robert is now aged 16 and is a clerk in the cotton trade, he lives with both parents, five siblings and two servants. His siblings living at the property are recorded as; Joseph aged 20 and an apprentice in the cotton trade, Henry A. is 19 and is a clerk for a paper and canvas merchant (in all probability his father's business), Mary C. is 18,  Harold is 13, and Peter Paul is 7.   
  
Robert is again shown as a clerk in the cotton trade in the 1911 Census.

He enlisted with the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22470 at Liverpool on the 10th November 1914. He was 5 ft 3” inches tall and weighed 112 lbs, with a  fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

He was posted overseas with his battalion on the 7th November 1915. On the 30th July 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal and was then appointed Corporal on the 22nd September. In January 1917 he was granted ten days leave to the U.K and after his return to the front he was treated for tontillitis in February 1917.

Robert McArdle was killed in France on the 21st March 1917, aged 32. The circumstances of his death were recorded in the battalion diary. He was taking part in a recce patrol of 11 men who were ambushed by the German's at Neuville Vitasse. The diary records that 11 men went out on the patrol and that only 4 returned. The diary advises that 2nd Lieut Green and Serjeant Knowles were captured and taken prisoner. They recorded one death, that being Corporal Robert McArdle. The other men killed in the action were 2nd Lieutenant Robert Edward Green, Lance Corporal 24471 Ernest Alfred McEvoy and Private 49551 John Wilkinson.

Robert's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

Probate of Robert's estate was obtained at Liverpool by his brother Henry on the 28th February 1918. His effects were valued at £137 11s 9d.

The Catholic Herald reported his death on 07th April 1917:

At St.Austin's, Grassendale, Liverpool, on Monday, a Requiem Mass was offered for two deceased members of the congregation, Corporal Robert McArdle, of the King's Liverpool Regiment, who was killed in action on March 20, and Engineer Peter Augustine Chamberlain (24), who died at his post in the engine-room when the Adenwen was sunk. Before joining the colours the late Corporal McArdle lived with his parents at Fairholme, Grassendale Park. The family had also resided at Sandown Park.

Robert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Catholic Institute (now situated at St Edwards College in West Derby)

Garston Roll of Honour

St Austin's RC Church

The Hightown Club

Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Childwall

Cotton Association Memorial, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 21

Robert was the first of three brothers who were killed in action. His brother Hugh Francis was killed in action on 18th September 1917 and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial at Arras, France. This is situated in the same Cemetery, at Faubourg D'Amiens, as the Arras Memorial which features Robert's name. 

Another brother 2nd Lieutenant Peter Paul McArdle of the Cheshire Regiment was killed in action on 26th April 1918 whilst attached to the 1/4th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.   

A tragedy in itself is that 3 brothers were killed in action but for the family, the knowledge that not one of them has a grave must have been particularly painful.

A report on the deaths of the McArdle brothers appeared in the Liverpool Courier on the 16th May 1918. Robert's photo appeared in the report.

FIVE SONS IN THE ARMY.

Many citizens will regret to hear of the death of Second-Lieut. Peter Paul McArdle, son of Mr. Henry McArdle, Cressington, who was killed in action on April 26th last. Lieut, McArdle, who had passed his 24th year, belonged to the Yorks. and Lancs. Regiment, and joined the Cheshires as a private obtaining a commission last year. He was educated at St.Francis Xavier’s College and Mount St.Mary’s College, and last September married Miss Queenie Scott, daughter of Mr. James Scott, of St.Michael’s, and niece of Alderman Austin Harford.

 In the athletic world Lieut. McArdle was well known, being one of the greatest gymnasts Liverpool has ever produced, and securing all the highest honours in relation to that form of recreation. He for several years held the championship of Liverpool Gymnasium, as well as Lancashire and Cheshire, being undefeated from 1912 to 1916. In connection with the inter-University gymnastic contests he retained the championships of Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool Universities during 1913-14; and was boxing champion, at his weight, of those institutions during the same years. The Cookson Challenge Cup, known as the Blue Riband of Gymnastics, was secured by him on two occasions; he was one of the famous Liverpool Gymnasium eight who carried off and brought to Liverpool the 200 guinea challenge cup; and he held the highest individual scores in international gymnastic competitions. Lieut. McArdle had hosts of genuine friends, who held him in the warmest esteem.

It is interesting to learn that the McArdle family gave five sons to the service of the country. One, Robert McArdle, joined the Pals, and was killed in action on March 21, 1917; ex-Sapper Joseph McArdle became a prisoner of war on March 21, 1918; Lieut. Hugh McArdle, who joined the King Edward Horse before the war, and afterwards received a commission in the Flying Corps, was missing in September last, and has been officially reported killed; while Private Harold McArdle is now serving in Italy as a machine gunner. Truly a splendid family record!

Within days of the blow of losing his third son Henry MrArdle died at his home, 'Fairholme', Grassendale Park. The Liverpool Courier carried the story on 21/05/1918

FIVE SONS FOR THE ARMY.

Death of the Father.

Many citizens will hear with regret the news that Mr. Henry McArdle, who gave five sons to the Army, died yesterday at his residence, Fairholme, Grassendale Park, and will be buried tomorrow at St.Austin’s Roman Catholic Church, Grassendale, a requiem mass being held prior to the interment. Mr. McArdle, who was 65 years of age, was engaged in the jute trade.

It was mentioned in last Thursday’s “Courier” that his son, Sec. Lt. Peter Paul McArdle, who fell in action on April 26, was prominent in the athletic world, and had secured several notable championships for gymnastics, boxing, etc. His brothers, Robert and Hugh, also made the great sacrifice, while Joseph is a prisoner of war, and Harold is now serving in Italy.

Details of the funeral were posted in the Liverpool Courier on 23/05/1918

LOCAL FUNERALS.

MR.HENRY McARDLE.

At St.Austin’s, Grassendale, the funeral took place yesterday of Mr. Henry McArdle, retired jute merchant, of Liverpool, whose death occurred on Sunday at his residence. Fairholme, Grassendale Park. The circumstances were peculiarly sad, for only a week ago the deceased gentleman and his family heard with sorrow of the death in action of Lieut. P.P. McArdle, one of the greatest gymnasts Liverpool ever produced. Lieut. McArdle was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. McArdle to make the supreme sacrifice, and a fourth son is a prisoner of war.

Requiem Mass preceded interment, the rev. Father Chamberlain, of St.Alban’s, Warrington, officiating, the music being led by the Right Rev. A.T. Burge, O.S.B., rector of St.Austin’s.

Wreaths and floral tributes were sent by his sorrowing wife, his loving children, Rose Graham, Mr, and Mrs. R.A. Rockliff, Charles C. Bullen, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Murphy, Winnie and Wilfred, Agnes and Jack, Mr. Thomas Scott and family. J. Bruce, P.B. Keay, all at 100, Huskisson-street; Mrs. and A. Hart Davies, and others.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Thomas Porter and Sons, Ltd., Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

Probate of Henry McArdle's estate was obtained at Liverpool by his eldest son Henry. His effects were valued at £923 18s 2d.

Robert's brothers Harold and Joseph both returned from the war. Harold McArdle married his fiancee Gertrude Scott at St.Charles Borromeo's R.C. Church, Aigburth on the 3rd September 1919. Gertrude was the sister of Teresa McArdle (nee Scott). Harold and Gertrude had three sons, Peter, Vincent H and Paul Anthony who was killed on active service on the 16th March 1942.

Mary Catherine McArdle married Frederick Rupert Boraston in 1918. They had one daughter, Winifred Mary, named after her late aunt, Winifred Mary McArdle.

Robert's mother, Mary, lived at 54 Croxteth Road, Sefton Park after the war. She died on the 23rd May 1924 at 20 Rosemary Lane, Formby, the home of her daughter Mary Catherine Boraston. Probate of her estate was obtained at Liverpool by her sons Henry Angelo, a general merchant, and Joseph Henry, a cotton broker. Her effects were valued at £731 18s 4d

Joseph Henry and Henry Angelo died at 27 Hawarden Avenue, Aigburth in 1942 and 1949.

Mary Catherine Boraston died at 20 Rosemary Lane, Formby in 1962. Etheldreda McArdle never married. She died at Nazareth House, Great Crosby in February 1966. Probate of her estate was obtained by the last surviving sibling, Harold, a paper merchant. Harold himself died before the year was out.

Etheldreda McArdle and the family of Harold McArdle were buried at SS Peter & Paul R.C. graveyard, Crosby.

We currently have no further information on Robert McArdle. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.