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It would appear that prior to the discharge an application had been made

for the position of Quartermaster to the Territorial 5th Battalion R.W.F.

and he was appointed to the post also in July 1908.

At the outbreak of W.W.I he volunteered for service overseas and it was

from Devonport on 14th July 1915 that he sailed for Gallipoli.

After the events recorded in this diary he returned to his battalion on

19th February 1916 and continued to serve in Egypt until he was granted

home leave and left Alexandria on the 4th July 1916. After his leave he

arrived back in Alexandria on the 24th August 1916 to rejoin his battalion.

In January 1917 he was posted to Palestine at El Ferdau and it was in the

period up to November 1917 that he was 'Mentioned in despatches'.

While serving in Palestine he was promoted to Captain on 1st July 1917.

Due to a period of sickness when he had Tonsilitis he left this station on

14th January 1918 and returned to the U.K. on the Hospital Ship 'Glengorm

Castle' for rest and further treatment (General debility and Gastritis). He

was treated in hospitals at Bristol and Llandaff until 30th April 1918

when he was granted 3 weeks sick leave. On 22nd May 1918 he took over

duties of Quartermaster to the 4th Reserve Battalion R.W.F. at Kimmel Park,

bear Rhyl. He was demobilized on 13th March 1919 after nearly 35 years

service with the rank of Captain.

But that was not the end of his military service for he once again found

himself as Quartermaster and Captain to the 5th Battalion R.W.F. taking up

his duties on 19th March 1920 and he remained until he appears to have

finally relinquished his commission on 6th July 1921.

However there now follows a 'grey area' . A 'Battalion Special Order' from

the C.O. dated 8/5/1925 reads:-

"It is with great regret that the Commanding Officer has to announce the

retirement of Major and Quartermaster G. Claridge T.D.

Major Claridge has served in the Battalion since 1899, first as Regimental

Sergeant-Major, and from 1908 to 1925 as Quartermaster a period of 28

years, which in conjunction with the term spent in the Regular Army brings

his total military service to 40 years.

Major Claridge has set a very fine example of what a Territorial should be.

He has shown loyalty and keenness of a very high order, in working for the

welfare of the Battalion both in peace and in war, and nothing has been too

much for him to do in it's interests.

He will be sadly missed by all Ranks; but they are gratified to learn that

they will have the advantage of his advice and continued interest in

the Battalion as a member of the Territorial Association."

Older family members say that the rank of Major conferred on him on the

19th July 1924 was honorary, and as it was a purely honorary rank he did

not receive a major's pension!

-24-