page of war diary transcript
Transcription
Transcription history
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The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few people who have been in the Services and not done
'sentry go.' One of them is Major George Claridge , a Holywell veteran who
last Thursday night, was presented by members of the local branch with a
certificate of life membership of the (British) Legion. Now 79, Major
Claridge has been an outstanding figure in local affairs for many years;
and has been Chairman since the branch was reformed in 1930. He joined the
Service at the age of 16 1/2, and following initial training at Wrexham joined
his regiment in County Cork, soon becoming a Lance corporal and not long
after a Corporal, no mean achievement in the old days of the regular Army.
He had some interesting experiences to recall about the conditions that
existed in Ireland in those days during the boycotting, when all soldiers
had to be extremely careful after the hours of darkness.
As they were not allowed to carry bayonets or weapons, it was their
practice , he confessed , to take the barrack room poker up their sleeves on
a piece of string and trail it along the ground when they were passing any
suspected side turning, no doubt as a warning to would be attackers, but
there was the light side, too, and he told how he and two other young
Corporals visiting a local hostelry for a supper of porter , pigs feet and
potatoes, took the grandfather's clock from the inn and hung it on the
railings outside the offices of the County Constabulary! - a prank to
capture the heart of any young soldier. The next day they were 'on the
mat', but the Commanding Officer looked upon it as a boys escapade!"
.....................................................................................................
His service record reveals that he was mentioned in despatches twice and
reads:-
'Mentioned in despatches and awarded the next higher rate of pay for
services in the field.'
'Mentioned in despatches of General Sir H. Murray G.C.M.G, K.C.B, C in C
Egyptian Exp. Field Force, for gallant and distinguished service in the
field.'
This second honour was obtained during the period of duty in Palestine.
Medals awarded during his career are as follows:-
1914-15 Medal, Long Service Medal, Victory Medal 1914-1919, Coronation
Medal (George 5th and Queen Mary), 'Good Conduct Medal' (06/04/1903),
Meritorious Service Medal (*), 'Territorial Decoration' (30/01/1925),
The bronze oak leaf fixed to the Victory Medal ribbon denotes 'Mentioned in
despatches'.
(*) The Recommendation to receive the M.S.M. with annuity was made on 6th
Jan. 1906, Major Claridge was finally awarded it on 16th Dec. 1941, and
presented with it at Prestatyn on 19th Dec. 1942. The annuity was L 10.00.
-25-
-
The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few people who have been in the Services and not done
'sentry go.' One of them is Major George Claridge , a Holywell veteran who
last Thursday night, was presented by members of the local branch with a
certificate of life membership of the (British) Legion. Now 79, Major
Claridge has been an outstanding figure in local affairs for many years;
and has been Chairman since the branch was reformed in 1930. He joined the
Service at the age of 16 1/2, and following initial training at Wrexham joined
his regiment in County Cork, soon becoming a Lance corporal and not long
after a Corporal, no mean achievement in the old days of the regular Army.
He had some interesting experiences to recall about the conditions that
existed in Ireland in those days during the boycotting, when all soldiers
had to be extremely careful after the hours of darkness.
As they were not allowed to carry bayonets or weapons, it was their
practice , he confessed , to take the barrack room poker up their sleeves on
a piece of string and trail it along the ground when they were passing any
suspected side turning, no doubt as a warning to would be attackers, but
there was the light side, too, and he told how he and two other young
Corporals visiting a local hostelry for a supper of porter , pigs feet and
potatoes, took the grandfather's clock from the inn and hung it on the
railings outside the offices of the County Constabulary! - a prank to
capture the heart of any young soldier. The next day they were 'on the
mat', but the Commanding Officer looked upon it as a boys escapade!"
.....................................................................................................
His service record reveals that he was mentioned in despatches twice and
reads:-
'Mentioned in despatches and awarded the next higher rate of pay for
services in the field.'
'Mentioned in despatches of General Sir H. Murray G.C.M.G, K.C.B, C in C
Egyptian Exp. Field Force, for gallant and distinguished service in the
field.'
This second
-
The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few people who have been in the Services and not done
'sentry go.' One of them is Major George Claridge , a Holywell veteran who
last Thursday night, was presented by members of the local branch with a
certificate of life membership of the (British) Legion. Now 79, Major
Claridge has been an outstanding figure in local affairs for many years;
and has been Chairman since the branch was reformed in 1930. He joined the
Service at the age of 16 1/2, and following initial training at Wrexham joined
his regiment in County Cork, soon becoming a Lance corporal and not long
after a Corporal, no mean achievement in the old days of the regular Army.
He had some interesting experiences to recall about the conditions that
existed in Ireland in those days during the boycotting, when all soldiers
had to be extremely careful after the hours of darkness.
As they were not allowed to carry bayonets or weapons, it was their
practice , he confessed , to take the barrack room poker up their sleeves on
a piece of string and trail it along the ground when they were passing any
suspected side turning, no doubt as a warning to would be attackers, but
there was the light side, too, and he told how he and two other young
Corporals visiting a local hostelry for a supper of porter , pigs feet and
potatoes, took the grandfather's clock from the inn and hung it on the
railings outside the offices of the County Constabulary! - a prank to
capture the heart of any young soldier. The next day they were 'on the
mat', but the Commanding Officer looked upon it as a boys escapade!"
.....................................................................................................
His service record reveals that he was mentioned in despatches twice and
reads:-
-
The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few people who have been in the Services and not done
'sentry go.' One of them is Major George Claridge , a Holywell veteran who
last Thursday night, was presented by members of the local branch with a
certificate of life membership of the (British) Legion. Now 79, Major
Claridge has been an outstanding figure in local affairs for many years;
and has been Chairman since the branch was reformed in 1930. He joined the
Service at the age of 16 1/2, and following initial training at Wrexham joined
his regiment in County Cork, soon becoming a Lance corporal and not long
after a Corporal, no mean achievement in the old days of the regular Army.
He had some interesting experiences to recall about the conditions that
existed in Ireland in those days during the boycotting, when all soldiers
had to be extremely careful after the hours of darkness.
As they were not allowed to carry bayonets or weapons, it was their
-
The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few people who have been in the Services and not done
'sentry go.' One of them is Major George Claridge , a Holywell veteran who
last Thursday night, was presented by members of the local branch with a
certificate of life membership of the (British) Legion. Now 79, Major
Claridge has been an outstanding figure in local affairs for many years;
and has been Chairman since the branch was reformed in 1930. He joined the
Service at the age of 16 1/2, and following initial training at Wrexham joined
his regiment in County Cork, soon becoming a Lance corporal and not long
after a Corporal, no mean achievement in the old days of the regular Army.
-
The 'Chester Chronicle' dated 24/4/1947 carried a report after interviewing
Major Claridge which reads:
"There must be very few
Description
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Gallipoli
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- Contributor
- David Harrison
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