Description
Ashanti Star 1896, unnamed, Queen’s South Africa Medal, bar Natal, 2531 Private later C.Q.M.S. Frederick Arthur “Fred” Gidlow, West Yorkshire Regiment.
Ashanti Star, unnamed, sometimes encountered engraved by the Regiment.
QSA officially impressed: “2531 Pte F.A. Gedlow, West Yorkshire Regt”
Impressed Gedlow instead of Gidlow, a very rarely encountered British surname.
General wear to the QSA consistent with his long service, some pitting and contact marking.
Entitled to both medal on the rolls, Natal bar scarce to regiment.
Extensive service papers available for him, Militia Papers from 1889, Enlistment Papers from 1889-1902, Second Enlistment from 1904-1916.
Joined the West Yorks aged 17, didn’t retire fully until he was 46.
In his spare time back in Armley, Leeds, he was also secretary to the Union Cross Rifle Shooting Club, putting up high marksman scores in the local shooting competitions.
National Roll of the Great War, Leeds Section:
“GIDLOW, F.A. C.Q.M.S., West Yorks Regiment
He had already served in the Army for a period of 25 years when hostilities commenced in August 1914, and until he was discharged in May 1916 rendered valuable services with his unit at important stationed in England.
He served through the Ashanti Expedition, and the South African War of 1899-1902, and hold the Ashanti Star and Queen’s South Africa Medal.
2, Renshaw Street, Armley, Leeds.”
Frederick Arthur “Fred” Gidlow, was born in Holbeck, Leeds during 1872.
First joined the West Yorkshire Regiment as a Teenager in the 4th Militia Battalion, signing up with the 4th West Yorks on 18th August 1889, before signing on for full time service aged 17 years 10 months on 26th September 1889.
His services:
Home, 26th September 1889 – 29th September 1891
India, 30th September 1891 – 23rd November 1895
Gibraltar, 24th November 1895 – 10 December 1895
West Coast of Africa (Ashanti War), 11th December 1895 – 23rd February 1896
Home, 24th Feb 1896 – 24th September 1896
Army Reserve, 25th September 1896 – 8th October 1899
Home, 9th October 1899 -19th October 1899, remobilised for Boer War
South Africa, 20th October 1899 – 3rd March 1900. Invalided home early from the Boer War
Home, 4th March 1900 – 7th July 1902.
In between 1902-1908 he returned home to Armley and kept his skills sharp involving himself with the local “Union Cross Club” shooting rifles in Leeds.
Yorkshire Evening News 11th May 1907:
“A NEW LEAGUE
We hear that Mr F.A. Gidlow, the secretary of the Union Cross Club, Armley, has been in communication with Messrs William Whittaker and Co of Bradfrod, with the result that a Cup has been promised by the firm, to be shot for by clubs who are tenants of Messrs Whittaker… The Union Cross has a capital record, for a young club, by the way, having won 12 of their first 16 matches.”
He would then be found many times in the locals papers having put up high scores competing for the trophy.
Returned to 8th Batallion West Yorkshire Regiment, on formation of the Territorial Army in 1908.
Served with 8 Battalion from 1808 until 1915.
WW1 Services:
5th August 1914, Sergeant of 8th Battalion at Leeds, embodied for war service.
23rd October 1914, to Reserve Battalion.
3rd November 1914, Promoted to Colour Sergeant of 2nd 8th West Yorks Regt.
30th January 1915, 2/8th Battalion, Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 30th January 1915
18th November 1915, Transferred to 26th Provisional Battalion as C.Q.M.S.
14th February 1916, “Proceed to Ireland for duty at the Northern Command Convalescent Depot, Buttevant.”
Discharged on termination of his period of engagement of 8 years in the Territorial Army on 14th May 1916.
Conduct:
“This NCO has proved quite satisfactory, he is honest, sober and trustworthy.”
