Lives of the First World War

William was born in Abergavenny on 23rd March 1887, the 5th child in a family of 14 children (4 died in childhood). His parents, Jeremiah and Mary Ann Madden, had 8 sons in the Army in World War 1.

William was born in Abergavenny on 23rd March 1887, the fifth child of Jeremiah and Mary Ann Madden who eventually had 8 sons serving in the Army in World War 1.

This is a fascinating document showing that William went to France on 13th August 1914 and was discharged on 5th March 1919. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals but the 1914 Star record is crossed with a note "Forfeited for desertion", though that is also later crossed out and it seems the medal was finally awarded. He also has Cl&R's - clasps and rosettes given for serving "under fire". I have still not found out about the desertion and why the charge was rescinded.

This 1911 census return shows that William was in the Army stationed at Chatham.. His very early departure for France at the beginning of the war suggest that he was still a Regular soldier at the time.

This Award Roll shows the award of the Victory and British War medals to William Madden.

This 1914 Star Award Roll shows William's entry crossed out and the information that the medal award was forfeited for desertion, information also found on William's Medal Card. I have not been able to find out how this charge came about nor how it came to be rescinded years later and the medal was eventually issued. William was wounded at Ypres in 1914 (see newspaper letter image) - was that something to do with the charge?

William wrote a letter to his mother about the incidents in battle at Ypres when he and his brother, my grandfather Henry Madden, were wounded. Somehow the letter was published in the Abergavenny newspaper. William gives some details of the action he was involved in and is sure that Henry's wound is more serious. He was right - Henry later had to be discharged, but William returned to active service.