The Great War
The Zeppelin raiders who menaced the North East coast in the early years of the Great War, were never to cause much alarm to the people of Wardley village. Though some 'gasbags' may have been sighted overhead the area was never targeted or accidentally bombed by these ''silent killers''. Though on the night of June 15 1915 when Palmers works at Jarrow was bombed by German Naval Zeppelin L10 (Luftschiffe 10) the explosions and the subsequent fires from incendiary bombs dropped only a few miles away, will have struck terror into those villagers who ventured out of their homes.
However away from the home front thirty seven men from Wardley Village made the supreme sacrifice. There is  an inscription on the Methodist Church organ in Thorne Avenue which is dedicated to the 37 men  '' of this Church and village who served and fell in the Great War 1914-18. They include Richard Harker, Thomas Laing and George Dale, surnames that would be recognised around the Wardley area today.
A 'War Hero's Fund' was set up and its treasurer was Councillor Tom Smith and a well attended special meeting was held in the Miners Welfare Hall on May 23 where it was unanimously decided that 2d a week would be deducted weekly from the men's wages for the duration of the war, and such a period after the war as determined by a special meeting.
Presentations were given to some of the men when a large company of workmen, officials and friends assembled at the Miners Hall to present gold watches and gold alberts with appendage  to their fellow workmen who had gained military honours for Distinguished Service in France.
PO William Brown RND, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rallied the infantry and greatly assisted in saving the situation at a critical time. He displayed great courage and determination throughout the operation
PO John Walker RND, was awarded the Military Cross. During an attack on the Arras section, all the officers had fallen and he took charge of the  and secured the objective, the village of Gavrelle.
Private John Felton NF was awarded the Military Medal. During an attack on the Somme on July 1 1916, his company ran short of ammunition. Although wounded in the left shoulder, he ran across open ground exposed to heavy fire and twice succeeded in bringing supplies of ammunition and thereby saving the position. He was later wounded in the right thigh.
Private John Clough RAMC was awarded the Military Medal. During an attack in September 1916 he rendered First Aid and brought in wounded comrades from the front under continuous enemy shellfire.
Others who gained distinction for meritorious service were, Sergeant Robert Wray Smith RAMC. Military Medal and PO William Punton RND. Distinguished Service Medal.

World War 2
Like other villages, Wardley suffered war casualties in this second great conflict. Some of those lost on active service were First Class Stoker Robert Chisholm, , presumed lost at sea on March 4th 1942 on HMS Anking, Flying Officer Raymond Hodgson killed August 20th 1944, John Kenny, killed at Salerno September 22nd 1944, Jack Dixon killed September 22nd 1944, Private Bill Urwin killed in action in Italy November 16th 1944, 16th Battalion D.L.I., Thomas Robinson (R.N.V.R.) died August 24th 1944, Flight Sergeant James Lynch Selkirk, A.F.V.R. lost over Germany on December 2nd 1943, Mr. Morrison, a teacher at Wardley school, was killed in the armed forces, Tommy Robinson, and there were many others who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Wardley was fortunate that only one bomb ever fell near houses in the area.  It landed near the line north of Sunderland road railway crossing in Gillespie's field and no one was hurt.
Barriers were ready at the White Mare Pool to close the roads to South Shields and Boldon and Anti-Aircraft guns and searchlights were located close by and an A.R.P. post was at the Miners Hall.
Other wartime incidents were when a trailing barrage balloon fouled pylons and interrupted the electric supply to Monkton Coke Works and Jones Brickworks on December 30th 1939.
An army hut was built behind the chapel to house a smoke trailer crew.  A three ton Bedford truck was used to tow the smoke trailer with its 12 foot chimney and, with a mixture of crude oil and water or chemicals, produce smoke to drift over to the shipyards and factories on Tyneside to hide them from enemy aircraft.