William Godridge Pandfield
William Godridge Pandfield, the eldest son of Wyndham and Betsy (Bessie) Pandfield was born 1880 (June Q.) in Southampton 1. In the 1891 census the Pandfield family are residing in the village of Ombersley, Worcestershire, William aged 11 together with his parents and 3 other siblings, Florence aged 13, Wyndham S. aged 4 and the youngest brother Salisbury aged under 9 months 2.
William enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment in March 1900 3. In March 1901 William a Private was serving in the 4th Battalion stationed at Ramillies Barracks, North Camp, Aldershot, Hampshire, his age is given as 21 4. Later in the year he served as a Corporal with the Worcestershire Company, 17th Mounted Infantry in South Africa and was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 5.
By the time of the 1911 census he is a Sergeant serving overseas with the 2nd Battalion Worcesters who were stationed at Jhansi, India. On the 8th February 1913 the Battalion entrained in two special troop trains at Jhansi and proceeded via Agra and Delhi to Karachi for embarkation, arriving there on 11th February and embarked per H.T. Rewa the same day, sailing for Southampton on 12th February 1913 arriving at the latter place on the morning of the 4th March and disembarked on the 5th March after an absence on foreign service of 17 years and 4 months.
On arrival at Aldershot the Battalion was quartered in Corunna Barracks. The Battalion settled down to hard work at Aldershot in the 5th Brigade as part of the 2nd Division. It was widely known that the European situation was dangerous and all ranks were perfected in their training for war. The order for mobilisation was received at Aldershot in the evening of August 4th 1914, and during the ensuing week all ranks of the 2nd Worcestershire were busily employed in completing their preparations for War. Early on the morning of August 13th CQMS Pandfield with the rest of the 2nd Battalion marched down to the Government siding at Aldershot and entrained. The two trains which carried the Battalion left Aldershot at 0700 and 0800hours respectively and three hours later arrived at Southampton Docks. The two half-battalions were embarked on board the transports “Lake Michigan” and “Herschel.” All the rest of that day the ships lay in Southampton Docks. Not until after nightfall did the first of the two transports sheer off and steam down the quiet Southampton Water 6.
CQMS Pandfield saw much action with the 2nd Battalion during 1914 from Mons, the Retreat from Mons, Marne, Aisne, Langemarck, Gheluvelt and Nonne Bosschen. For his gallantry and ability (Aisne 1914) he was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field (Army Routine Orders 8th January 1915) 7. His citation read: For gallantry and ability during the advance through a very difficult country under heavy fire. Rendered valuable assistance to Company Commander. He was appointed CSM on the 1st October 1914 8.
Wounded in action at Richebourg 16th May 1915, he was admitted to 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen on the 8th May 1915 with gun shot wound to his leg. Transported to England per H S St. Andrew on the 19th May 1915 8. He was admitted to 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol on the 21st May 1915 9 and the following day admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital Manchester 10. William re-embarked on the 2nd October 1915. returning to the Battalion on the 6th October 1915 8. For service in the field he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the 18th December 1915, list 62 issued with Army Routine Orders 25th December 1915 (London Gazette 10th January 1916) 8.
William Godridge Pandfield was a highly thought of soldier as the following extract from the diary of Captain C.H. Pigg, O.B.E., M.C. shows. After breakfast the platoons fell in for inspection. Near me that fine old soldier, Second Lieutenant W.G. Pandfield, D.C.M., was inspecting the remnants of his platoon. As Company Sergeant-Major of ‘A’ Company he had helped me wholeheartedly in the previous October; sometime after I joined he had left for home to train for a commission 11.
On the 21st August 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Pandfield was killed in action near Longueval 12. The following extract from 2nd Battalions War Diary for 21st August. Relief orders came in during the morning but were cancelled soon afterwards and we received orders for a small attack in conjunction with the Glasgow Highlanders on the German Line, which an aeroplane had reported to have been considerably strengthened during the previous night. The Glasgow Highlanders attacked but did not take the trenches. Our attack did not develop as there was such a short time in which to organise it. The Glasgow Highlanders suffered heavy losses during this action and the affair caused considerable feeling. On the evening of 22nd August the 2nd Worcesters were relieved and were drawn back into the reserve trenches. Between 20th – 23rd August the casualties suffered by the 2nd Worcestershire amounted to 18 men killed and 35 wounded 6.
In his will he left effects of £308 11s 1p to his mother, Betsy Pandfield, widow of 83 Dolphin Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham (Administration Birmingham 8 December) 13.
Both of William’s brothers served with the colours. Salisbury enlisted on the 9th. May 1915 14 and also won the D.C.M., London Gazette 3.6.1919 (L/BDR. 831516 Salisbury, 241 Bde. R.F.A. T.F.) also entitled to British War and Victory medals 3. His citation read: 831516 L/Bdr. S. Pandfield, 241st Bde., R.F.A., T.F. (Sparkhill, B’ham). (Italy) He has been conspicuous for his continuous gallantry and good work at all times. He manifested his devotion to duty when, the route being shelled, he patrolled telephone wires and maintained communication from a forward outpost to the battery continuously, thus enabling the fire of his battery to be directed without break 15. Pte. 34028 Wyndham Stuart Pandfield, served with the Wiltshire Regiment and was entitled to the British War and Victory medals 3. Both brothers survived the conflict.
Notes.
1. Free BMD. PADFIELD, William Godridge. Southampton Volume 2c Page 1 (error in transcribing
name Pandfield)
2. 1891 census.
3. Medal Index Card. His service number (Pte. 5772 Robert Dumerall enlisted 26 .3. 1900 and Pte. 5782
Christopher Evans enlisted 31. 3. 1900).
4. 1901 census.
5. South Africa Medal Roll entries.
6. The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War by Captain H. FitzM. Stacke, M.C.
7. London Gazette 1st January 1915.
8. Record of Officers Service 2nd Battalion 1914 – 18 (Regimental archives, Worcester).
9. 12th June 1915 edition Worcester Herald
10. 19th June 1915 edition Worcester Herald
11. Firm (Regimental magazine) Vol. 16 No. 4 p.200
12. CWGC.
13. The national probate calendar.
14. Army service papers and MIC’s on Ancestry.
15. London Gazette.
Betsy died in 1933.
1901 census both Wyndham and Salisbury were boarders in the household of James and Mary Clarke, Yew Tree Cottage, Shrawley. (I have found no census return for Betsy for 1901)
Wyndham S. jnr married Minnie Watkinson, Birmingham June Q. (vol 6d page 639) and died in 1950 Birmingham (Stuart, Stewart)
Salisbury E. married Janet E Hickman Lichfield December Q (vol 6b page 941) and died in 1973 Sutton Coldfield. (Eric)
Sister Florence married Edward Osmond Sweeney, Birmingham, June Q. 1904 (1901 census she was a servant in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Bosley , 20 Congreve Street, Birmingham).
Permission to reproduce this information has been kindly granted by Peter Rose 20/09/2011