Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

William Henry Gilderdale Maskew was born on 24th May, 1874 at Leeds, West Yorkshire, England to parents Miles & Emma Maskew (nee Gilderdale).

He married Martha Roberts on 26th September, 1895 at St. Michael’s Church, Farnley, Leeds, England. William was a 21 year old Joiner from Farnley & Martha was a 23 year old Folder at Laundry from Armley.

A daughter – Elsie G. Maskew was born on 12th December, 1895 at Leeds, Yorkshire, England to  Martha & William Henry Gilderdale Maskew.

William Henry Gilderdale had been an apprentice for 7 years with George Abbott of Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

The 1913 & 1914 Australian Electoral Rolls for the division of Yarra, subdivision of Richmond South, Victoria listed William Henry Gilderdale, Carpenter, of 14 Shamrock St, Richmond South.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 8th July, 1915 as a 40 year old, married (with 1 child aged 19), Carpenter from Richmond Hotel, Church Street, Richmond, Victoria.

On 8th July, 1915 William Henry Gilderdale was posted to Depot Infantry for recruit training. He was transferred on 8th September, 1915 to Engineer Reinforcements with the rank of Sapper. Sapper Gilderdale was transferred to 2nd Field Company Engineers, 9th Reinforcements (no date recorded).    

Sapper William Henry Gilderdale, Service number 1935, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Port Lincoln (A17) on 14th October, 1915  with the 2nd Field Company Engineers, 9th Reinforcements.

He was taken on strength of 2nd Field Company Engineers on 28th December, 1915 at Tel-el-Kebir from 9th Reinforcements.

On 2nd January, 1916 Sapper Gilderdale was sent to Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir with Gastritis.

A Medical Report was completed on Sapper William Gilderdale on 18th January, 1916 at Larkhill Camp 26 * (Note: Larkhill was a Camp in Wiltshire, England, Wiltshire. Three days later he is reported to be in Hospital at Heliopolis. Not sure if this is correct). His disability was listed as Chronic Gastritis & Duodenal Ulcer which had first occurred about 1912 in Australia. “Has suffered from indigestion for last four years. Has been worse since enlisting – 2 months in hospital in Egypt – also 3 months in England during which he was operated on and ulcer found….” The Medical Board found that Sapper Gilderdale was permanently unfit for General or Home Service.

Sapper Gilderdale was admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis on 21st January, 1916 with Dental trouble.

On 8th February, 1916 Sapper Gilderdale was admitted to No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis with Gastritis.

He was admitted to Hospital at Ras-el-Tin on 15th March, 1916 with Gastritis & was discharged to Base at Mustapha on 1st April, 1916 for duty.

Sapper Gilderdale embarked for Overseas on 10th May, 1916 on Scotian as Reinforcements to 2nd Division. He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 18th May, 1916.

On 5th June, 1916 Sapper William Henry Gilderdale reported to 2nd D.B.D. (Divisional Base Depot).

He was admitted to 26th General Hospital at Etaples, France on 22nd July, 1916 – cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined) – Abdomen. He was transferred to Calais on 24th July, 1916 & embarked for England on Hospital Ship Brighton on 25th July, 1916 with Gastritis.

Sapper Gilderdale was admitted to Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, England on 25th July, 1916 with a Duodenal Ulcer. He was transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford on 16th October, 1916  N.Y.D. (not yet determined) – Abdomen & discharged on 6th November, 1916.

On 6th November, 1916 Sapper Gilderdale was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset, England from Dartford.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & in Dorset. Later Training & Convalescing Units were combined under the one Command Depot.

A Medical Report was completed on Sapper William Gilderdale on 7th November, 1916 at No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset, England. His disability was listed a Duodenal Ulcer which had originated on 21st August, 1916 at Egypt – Tel-el-Kebir. “Taken ill in Egypt 12 months ago. Pain pit stomach & vomiting. All symptoms of acute dyspep. No Diarrh. Red blood occasionally in motions probably from piles. No piles now. Lost much weight.” The Medical Officer in charge of the case stated the cause of the disability to be “irregular feeding, too quickly” & it had been exaggerated probably by active service conditions. The Medical Officer in charge of the case recommended that he be given a change to Australia. The Medical Board found that Sapper Gilderdale was permanently unfit for General Service by fit for Home Service.

He was marched in to Pioneer Battalion, No. 4 Camp, Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 30th November, 1916 from Weymouth.

Sapper Gilderdale was written up for an Offence while posted at Pioneer Training Battalion at Larkhill, Wiltshire – A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from midnight on 26th December, 1916 till 2 pm on 30th December, 1916. He was awarded 14 days confined to Camp & deprived of 16 day’s pay.

On 2nd March, 1917 Sapper Gilderdale was classified as C3 (permanently unfit for Active or Home Service) due to Chronic gastritis & Duodenal Ulcer.

He was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset, England on 5th March, 1917 from Pioneer Training Battalion at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

On 27th April, 1917 Sapper Gilderdale was marched out to Administrative Headquarters, London from No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth pending a discharge in England.

Sapper William Henry Gilderdale was discharged in London, England from Australian Imperial Force on 27th April, 1917 – permanently unfit for War Service at home or abroad. He had served for 1 year & 232 days & his conduct & character during that time had been “very good.”

A Medical Certificate was completed by Major A. E. Colvin, A.M.C., A.I.F. on 28th April, 1917 for W. H. Gilderale, 10 Mitford Road, Armley, Leeds, a claimant for a Pension under the War Pensions Act 1914. The Certificate stated that W. H. Gilderdale, age 43, was “suffering the effects of a duodenal ulcer for which he was operated 21/8/16, still suffers from indigestion and unable to east hard food. Has lost 2 stone in weight. Scar in epigastrum. Is now feeling better and gaining weight.” His condition was a “pre existing to enlistment, aggravated probably by active service conditions. The claimant has lost his earning power to the extent of on half (1/2) for six months.”

Ex-Sapper William Henry Gilderdale died on 2nd June, 1920 in Beckitt Park Military Hospital. Leeds, England (as listed on CWGC – Grave Registration form).

He  was buried in Upper & Lower Wortley Cemetery, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England – Plot number A. “C” 290 and now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/upper--lower-wortley.html