Driver Frank Mardle, 800506, C/230 Battery Royal Field Artillery, was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the closing weeks of the war. He had joined the North Midlands Division in the first month of the war and went to France in 1915, where he had been since.

In his recommendation for the medal, Brig-Gen Child described the gallantry of Driver Mardle, of 60 Reginald Street, Luton, as follows:

“On the night of September 27th-28th [1918], near Bollenglise, six wagons of ammunition had just arrived on the forward battery position. Driver Mardle was leading driver of one of the teams. A sudden burst of fire was put down on the position, killing and wounding many of the horses.

“Driver Mardle's horse was killed. In spite of this and of the pitch darkness, he showed the utmost coolness in helping to get the surviving horses collected and off the position. On arriving at the main position he helped to get the team straight, got another horse and went forward again to get the wagons away from the forward positions. As leading driver of a team he then hooked into the abandoned wagons.

“His cheerful bearing throughout was an inspiration to all the other drivers, and deserves the highest commendation.”

Frank Mardle was born in Luton on July 22th, 1893, son of Alick and Louisa Mardle. He died in Luton in 1968 at the age of 75.