Pte
Norman Sadler
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1898 |
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Place of birth: Runcorn, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Runcorn, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Labourer |
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Religion: Wesleyan |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 40502 |
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Enlistment date: 10/10/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Chester, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — York and Lancaster Regiment, 1st/4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 09/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Fleet Cottage, 's Graventafel, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XIX Row: H Grave: 12 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Norman Sadler was the son of John and Mary Ann Sadler. He was born around 1898 in Runcorn, Chesire, where he also lived. Before the war he worked as a labourer. He enlisted in the British Army in October 1916 and served in the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Regiment).
Norman was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelkapelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting lines of the 49th (West Riding) Division ran from Kronprinz Farm to near Berlin Wood. The objective of the division was first to advance to the line from Wolf Farm to Lamkeek and then push on to a line from Woodland Plantation to Duck Lodge. The 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment also took part in this attack.
At around 4:00 a.m. the battalion had reached its assembly positions. Due to the heavy rainfall prior to 9 October, the terrain had become a quagmire. The first obstacle the battalion encountered was the Ravenbeek, which had become deep and wide because of the severe rain. Only a group of about 50 men from C Company succeeded in crossing the stream. Troops of B Company came under heavy machine-gun fire from Waterfields and Laamkeek and were held up. On the left the fire was less intense, and troops from A and B Company managed to cross the Ravebeek near Graventafel Road. Troops of A Company succeeded in reaching Marsh Bottoms and dug in there. D Company attempted to pass them but did not succeed.
During the Battle of Poelkapelle the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment suffered nearly 300 casualties. Norman also lost his life, at the age of 19. After the war his body was found near Fleet Cottage. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests today.
Norman was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelkapelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting lines of the 49th (West Riding) Division ran from Kronprinz Farm to near Berlin Wood. The objective of the division was first to advance to the line from Wolf Farm to Lamkeek and then push on to a line from Woodland Plantation to Duck Lodge. The 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment also took part in this attack.
At around 4:00 a.m. the battalion had reached its assembly positions. Due to the heavy rainfall prior to 9 October, the terrain had become a quagmire. The first obstacle the battalion encountered was the Ravenbeek, which had become deep and wide because of the severe rain. Only a group of about 50 men from C Company succeeded in crossing the stream. Troops of B Company came under heavy machine-gun fire from Waterfields and Laamkeek and were held up. On the left the fire was less intense, and troops from A and B Company managed to cross the Ravebeek near Graventafel Road. Troops of A Company succeeded in reaching Marsh Bottoms and dug in there. D Company attempted to pass them but did not succeed.
During the Battle of Poelkapelle the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment suffered nearly 300 casualties. Norman also lost his life, at the age of 19. After the war his body was found near Fleet Cottage. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests today.
Sources 6
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1/4 Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2805/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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1911 England Census (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 2018), 118-123. Sources used |
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Percy, Douglas, The 1/4th (Hallamshire) Battn., York and Lancaster Regiment, 1914-1919 (London 1926), 79 Sources used |
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War Office: Soldiers' Documents (The National Archives, Kew (TNA) WO363). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
More information 3
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=ca89fb08-5113-4b0a-b2d1-634a638ade4e |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3877353 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464522 |