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ARNOLD
LESLIE DUDDELL (1910-14 : 20), was the second son of Mr Albert Duddell of
Tettenhall. He was a fair cricketer
and obtained 2nd XI colours. Being
intended for a teacher, he was about to enter a Training College when, in August
1915, he was given a commission in the 3rd Battalion, South
Staffordshire Regiment. The
training already received in the O.T.C was supplemented by courses at Cambridge
and Sunderland and in July 1916, he went to France.
He bore his part in engagements at Thiepval, the Wonderwork at the Stuff
and Schwaben Redoubts. When his senior officer became a casualty, Duddell took
command of the company. Later, he
and his orderly brought in fifteen prisoners from a German dug-out.
Subsequently attached to the 6th Battalion, Yorkshire
Regiment, he saw service round Arras and Ypres, took part in a battle near
Langemarck last August, and on September 26th was shot through the
chest as he led his company in the great attack near Poelcapelle, dying on his
way back to the dressing station. In
a letter to his parents, his Colonel speaks feelingly of his loss and states
that Duddell had just been made full Lieutenant and, despite his youth, had been
given command of a company.
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