Son of Robert and Isobel Wardle, of Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham; husband of Edith Mary Wardle, of Chester-le-Street.

Company Sgt Major Selby Wardle 4451703 was a pre-war territorial serving with the 8th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry. The son of Robert and Isobel Wardle, of 21 Gardiner Road Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham (Former residents of Pelton Fell nr Chester le Street). He and his wife Mary and son James lived at 2 Jubilee Terrace ,Chester-le-Street. A former employee at Pelton  Fell  Colliery near Chester le Street he was a Lance Sergeant in the TA where he served in 10 platoon `B` Company 8th DLI. During the BEF campaign in France 1940 he was fortunate  to escape back to England following the British Army`s evacuation from Dunkirk.
Sgt Major Selby Wardle then served with the 8th DLI in North Africa 1942-43 and Sicily.It was during the Sicily Campaign that he was awarded  The Military Medal sadly he did not live to receive the award.Sgt Selby Wardle died of wounds received in Sicily according to the CWGC on 13/08/1943, although correspondence to Selby`s brother quotes the 12/08/1943 as the date of death. Selby`s wife and son James received his Military Medal.

CSM Wardle was awarded the Military Medal for actions around the Primosole Bridge in Sicily During the action of July 15th and 16th which resulted in the establishment of The Primosole bridgehead across The Simeto river the above mentioned Warrant officer was Company Sgt Major of the second Assault Company
He was one of the first men of his Company across the River and throughout the advance to the objective he was always in the foreground.
Completely ignoring the enemy fire and encouraging his men.His Company suffered heavy casualties and his Company Commander was wounded but CSM Wardle carried on and the Company gained its objectives.A heavy enemy counterattack developed at first light but CSM Wardle had reorganised his men and it was beaten back with heavy enemy casualties.Enemy snipers were abundant and were constantly harrassing his men but he moved about amongst them encouraging them and he himself accounted for several snipers by accurate Bren fire from an exposed position.Several more enemy counter-attacks were tried during the day but the above mentioned Warrant Officer had the situation completely in hand by this time and beat them back with severe losses.
Throughout the action this Warrant Officer showed outstanding courage,devotion to duty and complete disregard of enemy fire,and was an inspiration to all ranks,and his outstanding courage played a vital part in the success of the operation.

Lieutenant E J Cousins wrote to Selby`s family outlining the circumstances of CSM Selby`s death....On the 11th August 1943 `D` Company of which CSM Selby Wardle was now part of at this time were one of the forward Companies, as elements of 8th DLI advanced down a side street in Giarre which is 16 miles north of Catania,suddenly without warning the enemy began to lay down a heavy concentration of shell fire upon the company`s position.Although many of the shells fell on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings,one shell fell into the middle of the road just in front of the advancing company,Sgt Major Wardle was one of the men who took the full force of the blast.One man was killed and seven others including Selby Wardle were wounded He was immediately attended to by stretcher bearers of the regiment before being taken to the Regimental Aid Post.Selby was then taken,apparently at his request,to 149 General Hospital, he died in 15 Casualty Clearing Unit from his wounds on the 12th/13th August 1943 he was twenty five.Selby Wardle was a Methodist and a memorial service was held at Station Road Methodist Church in Chester Le Street on September 12th .

The letters from Lieutenant Cousins to Selby`s brother `Tony` outlining the circumstances of Selby`s death in Sicily


Sad reminders the Graves Registration Label and CSM Wardles Cap badge which were kept by his family.


Newspaper clippings again kept by the family of 4451703 CSM Selby Wardle.