This site commemorates the men and women of Collingham, Linton and Micklethwaite who served during World War 1. Today we especially commemorate Lieutenant Allix James William Griffith of the 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment who was born on this day in 1895.Today we especially commemorate Captain Darcy Philip Assheton Gray of the 457 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps who died on this day in 1944.
Gale, Edgar
(1880-1952)
 

Rank and Unit at End of World War One

Rank 2nd Lieutenant

Service Army

Battalion

Regiment Royal Army Service Corps

Buried Leeds

Other service during World War One
Information from Medal Index Cards (WO372), Medal Rolls (WO329), Service Records (WO363) and/or Pension Records (WO364) held by The National Archives.
Rank Number Unit
Private 402376 Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)
Pre-war Occupation*/marital status**

Trade or Occupation pre-war: Estate agent
Marital status: Married


* Taken from attestation papers or 1911 census
** Marital status on enlistment or at start of war
Connection with Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite and reason for inclusion on this web site
  • Named as an Absent Voter due to Naval or Military Service on the 1918 or 1919 Absent Voter list for Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite

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.

Biography last updated 24 January 2020 12:58:55.


Sources

1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 27084
First World War Medal Index Cards. The National Archives (WO372).
First World War Medal Index Rolls. The National Archives (WO329).
First World War Officer's Service Records WO374/26217 The National Archives.

If you have any photographs or further details about this person we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us via: alan.berry@collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info