Biography

Family background

Edgar Gale was born on the 15th June 1880 in Hunslet, Leeds the son of Joseph and Selina Gale. He was educated at Leeds Grammar School and went on to become an estate agent and partner in the firm of Bramham and Gale.

When he was 24, Edgar married Clarice Barton in St.Peter's Church, Thorner on the 12th October 1904. Edgar gave his occupation as estate agent. Edgar and Clarice had four children all born in Leeds, Nancie born in 1907, twins Thomas Barton Gale and Arthur Patrick Gale born in 1908, and Edgar Martin Gale born in 1913.

In 1911, Edgar and Clarice were living at 21 Arncliffe Road, Headingley with their three children, but they must have moved from Headingley to Collingham sometime between 1911 and 1918 because at that time Edgar was on the Collingham Absent Voters List due to Naval or Military Service. A military record of the time gives his address as The Avenue, Collingham.

Service record

Edgar attested for military service in Wetherby on the 8th December 1915, and was immediately put in the reserve. He was eventually mobilised on the 11th June 1918 in York as Private M/402376 of the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport Section) and he was posted to Grove Park, London. This was No 1 Reserve MT Depot of the ASC. On the 13th June Edgar joined the Heavy Lorry Division. Edgar then spent a few days (from the 16th to the 22nd June) doing General Duties in No. 6 Company, before undertaking preliminary training in 12 Coy at Lee from the 22nd June to the 19th August. Between about the 19th and 22nd August, Edgar was released from duty as a Private and joined the Cadet Company ASC(MT) - a first step to becoming an officer. Finally, on the 13th October 1918, he was discharged as a Cadet at Woolwich Dockyard as he gained a commision as a 2nd Lieutenant in the ASC (MT). Edgar's service to date had all been in the UK, but after a few days back at Grove Park, on the 30th October 1918, just 12 days before the war ended, Edgar joined the Expeditionary Force for Mechanised Transport duties being attached to 312 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, as a 2nd Lieutenant.

After the war ended on the 11th November 1918, Edgar remained in France until the 21st August 1919 when he returned to England. His record lists his last service as being with 5 GHQ MT Coy. On the 22nd August 1919, Edgar was finally discharged from the Army.

After the war

In 1939 Edgar was living at 54, Lidgett Park Avenue, Leeds. His occupation was estate agent and valuer.

Edgar Gale, of 54 Lidgett Park Avenue, Leeds died on the 28th July 1952 at 77 Clarendon Road, Leeds.