|
After
many years of writing a weekly newsletter to villagers serving
in the forces during the second world war Reverend Forse pondered
- "I wonder who will be the possessor of the first copy [of
the Newsletter] to enter Berlin? That will be an interesting fact
to record in an issue before we finally close down. If it can
be proved with any certainty I will give a medal to the lad who
has that honour. "
Source Rectors
Weekly Newsletter 7th Sept 1944
"While
I was in London last week I chose, and bought, three really fine
Medals for presentation to the first Tarleton lad in Berlin with
a News Letter on him, and also for the first Tarleton Sailor to
anchor in the Keil Canal, and the first Tarleton R.A.F. lad to
take up his work on a recognised Berlin Aerodrome. The medals
will be suitably inscribed, with the name of the winner and what
they have been given for. Toye's of London, Manchester, Sheffield,
Leeds and Birmingham, one of the biggest firms in England doing
this class of work, are supplying the medal. I managed to run
to earth a few pre-war solid silver Hall-marked medals which they
had in stock. They are a little bigger than a five shilling piece,
and quite heavy. The ribbon will be red, white and blue."
Source Rectors Weekly Newsletter 3rd May
1945
The winners of the medals were announced in the 12th
July 1945 News Letter:
THE
BERLIN MEDAL
Winners
of the Medals awarded by the Rector of Tarleton to the first Tarleton
lads to: -
1.Enter Berlin as a member of a victorious army occupying the
city as conquerors.
2.Enter the Keil Canal as a member of a ship's crew receiving
the surrender of the German Navy.
3.Land his aeroplane on a recognised aerodrome in Germany in complete
possession of the R.A.F.
1.
Awarded to T/83618 Driver Clark N.C. who arrived in Berlin at
23.00 hours on June 30th 1945. Claim signed by R. George, Lieut.
50 Company R.A.S.C.
2. Awarded to Mr. John Hornby, B.E.M. Bos'n R.N., who entered
the Keil Canal at 0800 hours on May 12th 1945. Claim signed by
P. Walter Gidifant, Chaplain R.N.V.R. Naval Party 1755.
3. Awarded to Flt/Sgt Hanson D.R. who landed at the aerodrome
in Hanover, on April 18th 1945. Claim signed by C. Wanth, Flt/Lieut.
190 Squadron.
Noel
Clark
| Dvr.
Noel Clark writes from BLA "I am getting quite near
Hanover and am expecting to move any day. Our Company has
been given the great honour to enter Berlin on the great
Victory march through, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I have not read in the NL of any of the lads winning the
Berlin Medal so far so I should be in the running.
Source
Rectors Weekly Newsletter 5th July
1945
Dvr.
Noel Clark writes from Berlin "As you will see from
the enclosed card which I have carried with me since you
sent it on October of last year, I arrived in Berlin late
on the last day of June, the time being 23.00 hours, i.e.
eleven o'clock at night. I do not know if anyone else has
beaten me to the post, but here's hoping anyway."
Source
Rectors Weekly Newsletter 12th July
1945 |
Driver Noel Clark
1918 - 2001 |
"Driver
N.C. Clark, the first Tarleton man to enter Berlin after the
surrender of the German Army. Joined the Territorial Army
April 1939; in France from September 1939 till May 1940. Evacuated
from Dunkirk. Sent almost immediatly to Middle East. Fought
from Alemein to Tunisia; through Sicily to Italy. Landed on
Beach-Head in Normandy, fought through France, Belgium, Holland,
Germany to Berlin"
Source
Tarleton Parish Magazine Vol 21 No. 9 September 1945 |
|
| At
the time of writing the medal presented to Noel Clark is
in the posession of his son, David Clark, who lives in Tarleton. |
John
Hornby
|
Mr.
John Hornby, B.E.M. Bos'n R.N. writes from his ship "I
am going over to Germany in the next few days to help control
the armed forces of the enemy when our fighting boys have
finished with them. I may add that any Tarleton boy who
may wish to qualify for the 'Sailing into Kiel Canal Medal'
will have to buck up because I'm nearly there and have my
certificate in my pocket.
Source Rectors Weekly Newsletter 10th
May 1945
Mr.
John Hornby BEM, R.N., writes from the Kiel Canal "It
gave me a thrill to think that I was the only Tarleton boy
in this area; at least we are represented all over Germany
from Tarleton.
Source
Rectors Weekly Newsletter 16th August
1945
|
Bos'n John Hornby
1901 - 1974 |
| John's
father, William, moved to Tarleton and was the local policeman
(PC 1485). John was in service to Sir Harcourt Clare at Bank
Hall before joining the Royal Navy aged 15 and led a distinguished
career of over 40 years naval service which embraced six wars.
He recieved the British Empire Medal in 1943. The
story of John Hornby's life has been documented and is published
on this website. |
|
|
At
the time of writing the medal presented to John Hornby is
in the posession of his son, Haydn Hornby, who lives in
Trowbridge, Wiltshire. |
David
Hanson
| Flt.
Sgt. David Hanson writes "We have been taking petrol
to the front line aerodromes and bringing back p-o-ws. We
landed on the Hanover aerodrome the day after our Forces
had captured it, and it is this which the Flt.Lt. has mentioned
on the claim Form.
Source Rectors Weekly Newsletter 24th
May 1945
WON MEDAL -
PROMOTION -
BRIDE
One of the winners of the three medals which the Rector
of Tarleton. the Rev. L. N. Forse, has awarded to local
lads who were engaged in the fight against the Germans,
Flight Sergt. David R. Hanson, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs.
David Hanson of Kearsley Avenue, Tarleton, was married on
Saturday at Holy Trinity Church, Tarleton, to Miss Lily
Tindsley, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Tindsley, of
Melrose Farm, Hesketh Moss.
Source Contemporary Newspaper Cutting (undated) |
Flight Sergt.
David Hanson
1923 - 1977 |
| The
medal presented to David Hanson is in the posession of his
daughter, Mrs Shirley Wentworth, High Park, Southport.
|
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