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2041739 Sergeant
JOSEPH CUNDALL
Royal Engineers 

by  

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, P.E., MinstRE
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) 

Figure 1.  Sergeant Joseph Cundall, R.E.
(Image courtesy of Sheila Vickers)

INTRODUCTION 

This is the result of biographical research work carried out by the author after acquiring the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal of 2041739 Sergeant Joseph Cundall, Royal Engineers.  Thanks to his daughter, Mrs. Sheila Vickers of Retford, Nottinghamshire, I was able to obtain an extract of Sergeant Cundall's military service record from the Ministry of Defence.  This record indicated that Sergeant Cundall was entitled to the medals in the group that I purchased. 

The narrative provides as much detail as it was possible for me to write from the outline of Sergeant Cundall's service and from published books, periodicals, documents and records.  I have tried to be as accurate as possible with regard to facts, citing my sources in all cases.  When reconstructing someone's life or military career, some supposition is obviously required.  I have tried to keep this to a minimum. 

Hopefully this work provides an accurate account of Sergeant Cundall's military service.  I trust that it will bring some measure of appreciation to his family regarding his service to his country.

Early Life (1920 - 1937) 

According to his birth certificate, Joseph Cundall was born on 8 August 1920 at Fir Tree Cottage, Iver Heath, Eton, in the County of Buckinghamshire.  Iver Heath is a small town located on the western fringes of Greater London, about 2 miles northeast of Slough and about 5 miles west-southwest of Harrow.

Joseph Cundall was the son of Walter Cundall (1889-1967) and Gwendoline Cundall, née Wigh, (1894-1958).  Walter Cundall was an ex-soldier who was working as a Hackney Stud Groom at the time of Joseph's birth.[1] As a young man Joseph followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a Groom prior to enlisting in the Army. 

According to the 1921 Census of England, Walter, Gwendoline and 10-month old Joseph were living with Gwendoline’s mother, Fanny Wigh, and with her sister, Eugenia Wigh at 6 Hobury Street, Chelsea, London SW10.  Fanny is shown as a widow, working as a cook.  Eugenia is listed as single and a canteen worker. 

Enlistment in the Territorial Army (1937) 

Joseph Cundall enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers (Territorial Army) on 15 April 1937.  According to his official birth certificate he would have been 16 years and 8 months old on the date of his enlistment.  It should be noted, however, that his military records indicate that he was born on 8 August 1919.  Considering this date of birth, he would have been 17 years and 8 months old on the day of his enlistment and therefore would have qualified to enlist in the Territorial Army under the regulations in existence at that time.  It appears that he lied about his age in order to join up. Another curious fact is that his place of birth is listed in his Army records as Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.[2]  No explanation was found for this discrepancy. 

After a period of basic military training, Sapper Cundall was posted to the Cinque Ports Fortress Engineers at Archcliffe Fort in Dover.  Archcliffe Fort no longer appears on modem day maps of Dover, however it does appear on a 1910 map of the area. It shows that Archcliffe Fort was located to the south of the town and the Tidal Harbour, and below the Western Heights and the Citadel. 

The Cinque Ports Fortress Engineers at that time consisted of a Headquarters, No. 1 (Electric Light and Works) Company and No. 2 (Anti-Aircraft Searchlight) Company.  Early photographs of a young Sapper Cundall show him at work with an anti-aircraft searchlight section, probably in the Dover area. 

Figure 2. Sapper Cundall (kneeling, center) with an Anti-Aircraft Searchlight.
(Image courtesy of Sheila Vickers)

Based on these photographs it is probable that he served with No. 2 Company of the Cinque Ports Fortress Engineers. 

During the time of Cundall's service with this unit, No. 2 Company was commanded by Captain and Brevet Major J. Mills, R.E. The Cinque Ports Fortress Engineers were commanded by Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel John Hewitt Mowll, T.D., T.A. Reserve. The mission of Sapper Cundall's unit was to provide searchlight support to the anti-aircraft batteries stationed around Dover and its harbour and dock facilities. 

Enlistment in the Regular Army (1937 - 1938) 

On 18 August 1937, the day prior to his 18^th birthday (based on his false date of birth), Joseph Cundall was discharged from the Royal Engineers (Territorial Army) in order to enlist in the Royal Engineers (Regular Army).  On the following day he enlisted as a Sapper (Army Number 2041739) in the Royal Engineers at Reading on a regular engagement.  At the time of his enlistment he was described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 136 pounds.  He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  His chest measurements were 34 inches normal and 36 inches expanded.[3] 

Sapper Cundall joined the Colours on 23 August 1937 and was posted to "D" Company of the Royal Engineers Training Battalion at Chatham, Kent.  Following a period of training of just over 11 months, Sapper Cundall was posted to the 38^th Field Company, Royal Engineers on 5 April 1938.  This company formed part of the 2^nd Infantry Division under the control of the North Aldershot District in Hampshire.  His company barracks were located at Marlborough Lines within the military base at Aldershot.[4]  

On 5 November 1938, Sapper Cundall was posted to the 1^st Anti-Aircraft (Searchlight) Battalion, R.E. at Blackdown.  This unit was the only Regular Army Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Battalion in the Royal Engineers establishment at the time.  Cundall remained with this unit for only four days and it is unclear why he was assigned to this battalion for such a short period of time.  He may have been assigned for refresher training and preparation for assessment overseas as part of a replacement draft.  In any case, on 9 November 1938 he departed the U.K. for overseas service in Gibraltar where work was pressing ahead, as in other fortresses, in strengthening the defences.  His total service at home since his enlistment in the Regular Army was reckoned at 1 year and 78 days. 

Service in Gibraltar (1938 - 1942) 

At the time of Sapper Cundall's assignment to Gibraltar, the Royal Engineers work there was under the direction of the Commander Royal Engineers (C.R.E.), Lieutenant Colonel John Stanhope Baines, R.E. and a small works staff.  The R.E. units of the garrison were the 1^st Fortress Company manning coast defence searchlights, and the 32^nd Field Company.

Upon his arrival in Gibraltar, Sapper Cundall was posted to the 32^nd Field Company, R.E. The primary mission of this unit was to operate anti-aircraft searchlights for the defence of British military installations at Gibraltar against air attack.  During his pre-war service at Gibraltar, Sapper Cundall appears to have had ample time to see the sights on the peninsula.  He and his mates were able to visit the town of Gibraltar as well as many of the historic sites in the area including "The Rock" itself and "Devil's Tower." 

The Rock of Gibraltar is about three miles long from north to south and almost a mile wide at its widest point.  "The Rock" is precipitous on its northern and eastern sides, but less so to the south and west, although there are sheer sea cliffs on the southern half of the west coast and at Europa Point at the extreme southern end.  It is separated from Spain at its northern end by a flat, sandy isthmus known as the Neutral Ground.  This isthmus is completely dominated by the massive north face of "The Rock" that rises to 1,398 feet at its highest point.  Between the Neutral Ground and "The Rock," the British had established the Governor's Gardens and Meadows and two burial grounds.  A stone structure known as "The Devil's Tower" was located in the southeast corner of the isthmus, at the foot of "The Rock."[5]  

"The Devil's Tower" was constructed in the 1770's as an outlying observation post for the British artillery batteries stationed at the north end of the Gibraltar peninsula.[6] This tower was still in existence when Sapper Cundall arrived at Gibraltar, and there is photographic evidence that he and some of his mates visited the tower as well as other areas on sight-seeing trips. 

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Lieutenant Colonel Nevil, C.D. Brownjohn, R.E.[7] succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Baines as C.R.E. Gibraltar.  Sapper Cundall and the other men of the 32^nd Field Company were assigned by Lieutenant Colonel Brownjohn to work on road construction projects and to work on improving the land defences of the peninsula by constructing concrete pill-boxes and gun emplacements against possible attack by Spanish government forces which were sympathetic to the Germans.  Defences on the landward side also consisted of anti-tank obstacles in the event of a German armoured attack through Spanish territory.  Additionally, the Royal Engineers were employed to extend the tunnel system within "The Rock.”  Storage galleries, machine gun and artillery positions were improved and shelters and hospital areas were hewn from the rock.  Communications tunnels were also extended.  Construction of the airstrip was also started in 1939 and most of the excavated materials from the other construction projects were used to extend the runway at North Front into the bay.  The defence scheme described above was put into operation in September 1939, immediately following the outbreak of World War 2. The 32^nd Field Company was not immediately brought up to War Establishment, but it was allotted battle tasks with the rest of the garrison.[8] 

While working on these projects, training for the men of the 32^nd Field Company also continued.  On 3 July 1939 Sapper Cundall passed the 100-yard swimming test in sea water at Gibraltar.  On 14 July 1939 he completed his training as a Sawyer, Class D Ill. 

After the British withdrawal from Dunkirk in May of 1940, things began to heat up for the troops at Gibraltar. it was decided at that time to evacuate most of the civilian population.  Hitler was, in fact, planning an invasion of Gibraltar with a target date of mid-December 1940 and the codename "Operation Felix.". As Sapper Cundall was going about his duties at Gibraltar, the Germans were selecting training sites in the Besancon area of France where the limestone rock and contours of the Jura mountains simulated the terrain at Gibraltar.  At that location the German engineers constructed mock-ups of the defensive positions at Gibraltar.  The German 1st Mountain Division staff was activated, including the 98^th 'Grossdeutschland' Mountain Regiment and the 106^th Artillery Command.  These units were moved to the training area.  The actual assault was to be commanded by Feldmarschall Walter von Reichenau, Commander of the German Sixth Army. In his Directive No. 18, dated 12 November 1940, Hitler presented his intentions for “Operation Felix" based on four phases: 

1) Civilian reconnaissance parties were to visit the area to complete final plans while special detachments would seal off Gibraltar against any sudden British move and the troops for the attack would assemble in southwestern France.  

2) A surprise aerial attack on the British Fleet to drive the naval units out to sea would be coordinated with the crossing of the Spanish border by German troops.  The attacking aircraft would take off from France but land in Spain. 

3) The main attack would follow in conjunction with troops moving into Spain. 

4) The Germans would consolidate their position and close the Straits of Gibraltar. 

The Spanish government under Franco refused to allow the Germans to use Spain as an avenue of attack into Gibraltar.  Franco's firm line brought the German plans to a halt and on 11 December 1940 Hitler ordered the cessation of all preparations for "Operation Felix." Thus ended a plan that would have launched more than 65,000 German troops against Sapper Cundall and the 10,000 British troops in the Gibraltar garrison.  The Germans were so confident of their plan that they estimated the actual campaign would only last four weeks.[9] In all probability "Operation Felix" would have been successful.  Had the Germans gone ahead with their plans, Sapper Cundall's fate might have been quite different than it is described in this narrative.  Overwhelming German forces may well have taken Fortress Gibraltar in much the same way that the Japanese captured Fortress Singapore in 1942.  The British would have suffered many casualties and Cundall, if he survived, might have been wounded or captured early in the war. 

Although the Spanish government refused to allow German troops to move through Spain to attack Gibraltar, the British troops on "The Rock" did come under attack from Italian aircraft on a few occasions.  In July 1940, after the Allied attack on the French fleet at Oran, French aircraft of the Vichy government also attacked the Fortress. This was probably Sapper Cundall's baptism of fire during the war.  Surely with the mission of the 32^nd Field Company to operate the anti-aircraft searchlights at Gibraltar, Sapper Cundall must have taken an active part in beating off these air attacks. 

The 32^nd Field Company, R.E. was redesignated the 32^nd Fortress Company, R.E. on 21 of October 1940.  This redesignation meant that the company was now primarily charged with supporting other units at Gibraltar with engineer works in direct support of the defence of the Gibraltar Fortress. 

During the remainder of Sapper Cundall's service at Gibraltar, it became a base for air operations as well as a forming up place for convoys.  Its facilities were also used as a protected anchorage and general repair and provisioning yard for the Allied navies.  From September 1941 onward, Italian naval underwater swimmers, divers and midget submarines made a series of daring attacks on vessels outside and inside the harbour.  After December 1941 the United States entered the war and Gibraltar became the base for the amphibious attack on the Axis powers in North Africa.  General Eisenhower arrived in Gibraltar in November 1942 to plan and command the invasion of North Africa; however, Sapper Cundall missed Eisenhower's arrival by about four months as he departed from Gibraltar and arrived in England on 4 May 1942 after spending 3 years and 181 days on "The Rock."[10] 

Service in England (1942 - 1944) 

Sapper Cundall was granted 10 days leave effective 5 May 1942.  On the termination of his leave he was assigned to No. 2 Field Branch Depot at Tidworth.  He remained in this assignment for two months and was subsequently assigned to the 502^nd Field Company, R.E. on 17 July 1942.  The 502^nd Field Company formed part of the 2^nd London Division, a Second Line Territorial Army Division that had been formed in September 1939 as a motorized division and was under the control of the London District.  By June 1940 it had been reorganized as an Infantry Division and on 21 November 1940 it was redesignated the 47^th (London) Division.  In December 1941 the 47^th Division was placed on Lower Establishment, meaning that it was not organized for combat in the theatre of operations.[11] The 502^nd Field Company was located at New Barnet, Herts, approximately 9.5 miles due north of the center of London.  New Barnet is located in the northwest area of Greater London, immediately north of Barnet and Mill Hill. 

Figure 3.  Cundall’s Section of the 502^nd Field Company.
(Cundall is fifth from the right in the middle row)
(Image courtesy of Sheila Vickers)

Since the 47^th Division was not to see active service during the war, Sapper Cundall's services were needed elsewhere in preparation for the invasion of the continent of Europe.  On 11 February 1943, less than seven months after his posting to the 502^nd Field Company, he was reassigned to the Depot Brigade Royal Engineers at Halifax in Yorkshire.  The Depot Brigade at this time was commanded by Brigadier A.T. Shakespeare, D.S.O., M.C. The unit had been moved to Halifax from Chatham in Kent in February 1941 due to the heavy bombing in the Chatham area.  The Depot Brigade consisted of a Headquarters and two battalions and its primary mission was the training and provision of replacements for other Royal Engineers units.  Additionally, the men of the Depot provided assistance to the local C.R.E. on general engineer tasks in the area and also worked on tram lines for the local authorities.[12]  

As preparations for the cross-channel attack continued and as new units were being formed for the invasion force, trained engineer soldiers were needed to fill out the new units and to replace losses in existing units.  On 21 March 1943 Sapper Cundall was assigned from the Depot Brigade at Halifax to the 619^th Corps Field Park Company with British XII Corps.[13]  Each Corps Field Park Company was organized with a Headquarters, a Workshop Troop, a Stores Troop, and a Plant Troop.  Its main role was collection, holding and distribution of the engineer stores, equipment and plant required by the remainder of the engineers in the Corps, and of the defence stores and tools required by all arms of the Corps.  In addition to these general functions, the special functions of the Corps Field Park Company were to:[14]  

1)   Operate the Corps engineer workshops, stores dump and plant, and the electric light plant for Corps Headquarters. 

2)   Maintain custody of such tools and plant as were held centrally and not by field squadrons, and any motor transport pool for the Corps engineers that were allotted to it.  It also held the Corps reserve of tools. (The Corps Field Park Company did not have a bridging troop). 

3)   Execute field engineering work and the operation of minor installations.  During its    movement within a theatre of operations, the Corps Field Park Company headquarters was normally located in close proximity to the Corps headquarters. 

On 5 October 1943, while assigned to the 619^th Corps Field Park Company, Sapper Cundall was classified as a Sawyer, Class D II.  This represented an upgrading of skill level for the classification that he had been granted in Gibraltar in July 1939. 

Service in North Western Europe (1944 - 1946) 

The Allied troops went ashore at Normandy on 6 June 1944.  On 14 June Sapper Cundall and his company embarked for active service on the continent of Europe.  The 619^th  Corps Field Park Company landed in France on 15 June 1944 (D+9) as part of British XII Corps.  After a period of organization and consolidation in the beachhead area, XII Corps went into line to the west of Caen.  The Corps was involved in hard fighting to extend their line beyond the River Odon.  Assault Squadrons of the Royal Engineers assisted in the capture of numerous fortified villages and buildings.  The front line engineers in the divisions of XII Corps were assisted in their tasks by Sapper Cundall and the men of his company.[15]  

On 25 August 1944 XII Corps conducted assault crossing operations on the River Seine with the 15^th Division.  The 15^th Division engineer units were responsible for the provision of storm boats, rafting and bridging operations during these crossings.  The 619^th Corps Field Park Company assisted the divisional engineer troops in their work.[16] 

By 6 September 1944 XII Corps was in position along the Rivers Escaut and Lys from Audenard to Deynze.[17]  It was at this point that XII Corps was tasked by Field Marshal Montgomery to take part in Operation Market Garden - that famous operation immortalized in the book and motion picture A Bridge Too Far.  In coordination with an airborne attack by the First Allied Airborne Corps to secure bridges across the Rhine and Neder Rijn at Nijmegen and Arnhem, respectively, three British corps were to attack on the axis Eindhoven-Son-Vegel-Grave-Nijmegen-Arnhem.  British XXX Corps was to attack up the main road between these towns along the axis of the Allied airborne "carpet." Two other corps were to advance parallel to XXX Corps to widen the axis of advance - VIII Corps on the east and XII Corps on the west.[18]  

On 17 September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, XII Corps made a successful crossing over the Meuse-Escaut Canal at Lommel and on 18 September Royal Engineers troops of  XII Corps built bridges south of Volkenswaard and over the Wilhemina Canal east of Tilburg.  The advance continued northward with crossings over the Zuid Willemvard Canal west of Vegel, the River Meuse west of Grave, and the River Rhine west of Nijmegen.  I Corps reached a line just south of Neder Rijn and west of Arnhem on 30 September.  At this point the operations of XII Corps were held up by heavy German resistance.[19] 

On 14 November 1944 XII Corps attacked across the Noorer and Wessem Canals.  XII Corps Royal Engineer units were involved in opening and maintaining forward routes through man-made obstacles, all the while working in very bad weather conditions.[20] By 22 November the Corps had completed the clearance of the west bank of the River Maas up to the Zig Canal and was able to advance beyond the Canal to a line beyond Panningen. 

The beginning of 1945 found XII Corps deployed along the general line from Geilenkirch to Maeseyck.  On 15 January Corps offensive operations again commence near Roermond. 

On Leave in Scotland (1945) 

Sapper Cundall was granted leave in the spring of 1945.  He returned home and on 19 March 1945 he married Violet Gordon Thompson (née Dobie) at Blythewood, Glasgow, Scotland.[21]  After a stay in the U.K. of unknown duration, Sapper Cundall returned to his unit.  On 24 March 1945, probably while Cundall was still on leave, XII Corps began assault crossings of the Rhine along its entire sector.[22]  By 28 March XII Corps had already begun its advance from the Rhine.[23]  

Return to North Western Europe (1945 - 1946) 

When Sapper Cundall arrived back at the 619^th Corps Field Park Company, the unit was already making plans to cross the River Elbe.  XII Corps crossed the Elbe on 29 April 1945.[24] 

After the German surrender, Sapper Cundall went to Paris where he visited the Arch de Triumphe and the Tomb of the Unknown (French) Soldier from the Great War of 1914 to 1918.  On 8 August 1945 he was posted to the 32^nd Regimental Holding Unit to await further assignment.  His new orders came soon enough, but he was not sent home.  Instead he was reassigned on 24 October 1945 to the 663^rd Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers.  This company, along with the 662^nd Artisan Works Company and the 545^th Electrical and Mechanical Company were under the command of a Works C.R.E. by the name of Lieutenant Colonel Richard William Clayton Smales, R.E.[25]  While assigned to the 663^rd Artisan Works Company, Sapper Cundall worked on the construction of bulk petrol installations at Port-en-Bessin.[26]  Port-en-Bessin was located on the Normandy coast at the boundary between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach.  This area was the scene of much bloody fighting during the D-Day invasion.  The U.S. 1^st and 29^th Divisions went ashore at Omaha Beach with the British 50^th Infantry Division landing to their left on Gold Beach.  German resistance to the landings was intense in this area and there were many Allied casualties.  Most of the traces of the carnage that took place near Port-en-Bessin on the day of the landings had already been removed when Sapper Cundall reported for duty with the 663^rd Artisan Works Company. 

Artisan Works Companies of the Royal Engineers were units composed of skilled tradesmen.  These units were employed in connection with road making, hutting, timber cutting, quarrying and the loading and unloading of ships and railway cars.[27]  Apparently it was Cundall's classification as a Sawyer that got him assigned to this unit.  

Post-War Service (1946 - 1950) 

Sapper Joseph Cundall departed the continent for home on 18 February 1946 after spending 1 year and 249 days in the theatre of operations.  For his services during the war he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France & Germany Star, the 1939-45 War Medal and the Defence Medal.   

For a period of 110 days, from 19 February 1946 until 8 June 1946, there is no record of Sapper Cundall's whereabouts.  It may be assumed that he spent some of this time on leave after returning from the war.  Some of this time may also have been spent in an administrative status pending his further assignment to complete his period of limited engagement with the Colours. 

On 9 June 1946 Sapper Cundall was released from the Regular Army into the Army Reserve.  At this point it appears that he felt that he had had enough of Army life.  However, after a short time on "civvy street," Cundall apparently found post-war prospects for recently returned soldiers not all that promising.  On 24 September 1946 he took his discharge from the Army Reserve to re-enlist as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers on a Regular engagement.  The next day he reported in to No. 5 Holding Depot Brigade, Royal Engineers at Barton Stacey, located approximately 4 miles due north of Winchester.  At this point it appears that Joseph Cundall was determined to remain in the Army.  He already had over 9 years of service when he arrived at Barton Stacey.  On 3 October 1946 he extended his enlistment to complete 12 years with the Colours[28] and simultaneously re-engaged to complete 21 years of service.[29] 

No. 5 Holding Depot Brigade was reorganized in early 1947 to form the Royal Engineer Depot Regiment.  The regiment consisted of a Headquarters, No. 2 Drafting Battalion and No. 3 Holding Battalion.[30]  The mission of the regiment was to receive, house and process replacements for Royal Engineer field units worldwide. 

After his arrival at Barton Stacey, it was decided to keep Sapper Cundall with the Depot Regiment rather than reassign him elsewhere.  On 24 January 1947 he was posted to "B" Squadron of the Depot Regiment.  On 9 April 1947 Mrs. Cundall gave birth to a daughter, whom the Cundalls named Sheila Heather June. 

Figure 4.  Mrs. Violet Cundall and Daughter Sheila, circa 1948.
(Image courtesy of Sheila Vickers) 

Throughout 1947 the R.E. Depot Regiment underwent a number of changes that resulted in the reassignment of Sapper Cundall.  On 24 May he was posted to Headquarters Squadron of the regiment.  The Depot Regiment was then split into two Regiments, with No. 2 Drafting Battalion being redesignated No. 2 Drafting Depot Regiment, and No. 3 Holding Battalion being redesignated No. 3 Holding Depot Regiment.  On 28 June 1947, as a result of these unit redesignations, Sapper Cundall was posted to "C" Squadron of No. 3 Holding Depot Regiment under the command of Major C.R. Pink, R.E.[31]  The reorganizations and redesignations were, however, not quite over.  In late 1947 No. 2 Drafting Depot Regiment was again redesignated, this time as No.12 Depot Regiment.  Similarly, No. 3 Holding Depot Regiment was redesignated No. 13 Depot Regiment.  Despite the name changes, the regiments performed virtually the same functions; that is, as drafting and holding regiments, respectively. 

On 30 November 1947 Sapper Cundall was posted to Headquarters Squadron of No. 12 Depot Regiment.  After more than 10½ years in the Army, Joseph Cundall received his first promotion in rank.  On 22 December 1947 he was appointed a paid Lance Corporal.  His good work as a junior non-commissioned officer was quickly rewarded and on 3 March 1948 he was promoted to the rank of unpaid Acting Corporal.  This promotion was followed quickly by granting him the paid rank of Acting Corporal on 23 April. 

Early in 1949 No. 12 Drafting Regiment and No. 13 Holding Regiment were amalgamated at Barton Stacey under the title Royal Engineers Depot.[32]  Now with considerable experience with the Depot operations, Corporal Cundall was posted to Headquarters Royal Engineers Depot as permanent staff on 15 July 1949. 

Return to Gibraltar (1950 - 1951) 

After having served on the Depot staff for over four years, it now became Corporal Cundall's turn to become one its customers.  On 1 November 1950 he was posted to the Depot for deployment overseas.  He was assigned to the 32^nd Fortress Squadron at Gibraltar on 5 November 1950.  At this time the 32^nd Fortress Squadron and the 1^st Fortress Squadron formed the Fortress Engineer Regiment at Gibraltar under the command of Colonel J.F.D. Savage, R.E.[33] He was fortunate to be assigned to Gibraltar at this time, as the Royal Engineers Depot had already started processing soldiers for deployment to the war zone in Korea. 

Figure 5.  32^nd Fortress Squadron, R.E. in Gibraltar.
(Corporal Cundall is in the third row back, fourth from left)
(Image courtesy of Sheila Vickers) 

Despite all his personnel work associated with the drafting and holding depots at Barton Stacey, Corporal Cundall's primary military skill was still that of a Sawyer.  On 31 March 1951 he was reclassified as a Sawyer, Class B III. 

Returning Home (1951 - 1958) 

Corporal Cundall's posting to Gibraltar was a short one.  On 14 June 1951, after serving only 226 days on "The Rock," Cundall departed Gibraltar for home and a period of leave.  On 18 July he returned to Barton Stacey in Hampshire, where he was again assigned to the Headquarters of the Royal Engineers Depot.  His work at the Depot was primarily involved with processing National Service soldiers who completed their full time of service.  During this time the Depot was transferring about 200 men every fortnight to the Territorial Army and the Supplementary Reserve in addition to carrying out other tasks of drafting some men overseas and of holding those returning from overseas.  The Depot also provided temporary lodging and support to units transferring from one station to another.[34]  As an example of this latter mission, in October 1951 the Depot accommodated over 300 all ranks of various Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers units who were taught by experts from Vistre their role of Battle Simulation Teams on an exercise named "Surprise Packet." After this training exercise the men returned to Barton Stacey for a few days before dispersing to their units.[35] 

Drafting and transferring of National Servicemen to the Territorial Army and the Supplementary Reserve continued to be the Depot's main task in addition to preparing for the reception of deferred regular soldiers who would be coming to the Depot for discharge from early in the New Year (1952).  Among those passing through the Depot were a number of Reservists who were recalled in 1950 for service in Korea.[36] 

Cundall was to have a long stay at Barton Stacey performing administrative and personnel duties at the R.E. Depot.  On 13 November 1951 he was promoted to the substantive rank of Corporal.  While performing his duties he also took some time to improve his education.  He was awarded a 2^nd Class Certificate of Education on 9 April 1952 and went on to pass subjects towards a 1^st Class Certificate of Education which included English Composition, Geography and Map Reading.  His efficient work and diligent efforts at self-improvement were rewarded on 21 April 1952 when he was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant and shortly thereafter, on 27 June, to the substantive rank of Sergeant. 

Along with his new rank came a new posting.  Sergeant Cundall was assigned to "A" Company, Royal Engineers Depot on 9 November 1952.[37]  He was now in a position where he was responsible for the proper performance of a number of junior non-commissioned officers and other ranks under his command.  Not only did he have to ensure that their work was properly accomplished to the satisfaction of his commanding officer, he was now also  responsible for their discipline and appearance, especially on parade and during inspections of the troops.  It appears that parades and visits by dignitaries to the Royal Engineers Depot were not uncommon affairs.  In November 1954 Sergeant Cundall and his men stood inspection for the Chief Royal Engineer, General Sir Edwin Logie Morris, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.[38] 

Figure 6.  General Sir Edwin Logie Morris, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

In 1955 Sergeant Cundall completed 18 years of service and became eligible for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with the bar [REGULAR ARMY].  He was duly awarded this medal and became eligible as a result for a gratuity upon discharge from the Army.  In the meantime, the life and routine of the Depot continued for him, as did the visits and inspections by high ranking officers. 

On 11 June 1956 the Depot was visited by the Engineer-in-Chief, Major General J.C. Walkley, C.B., C.B.E. who was accompanied on his visit by the Chief Engineer of the Southern Command.[39]  The following month the Depot underwent the Annual Administration Inspection by the Commander, Training Brigade Royal Engineers, Brigadier F.W. Houghton, D.S.O., M.C. who was accompanied by an entourage consisting of his brigade staff officers.[40] 

We can assume that all went well with Sergeant Cundall during these inspections as he was appointed a paid Acting Store Quartermaster Sergeant on 10 December 1956.  During this same time period, the senior warrant officer at Barton Stacey was 1872354 Regimental Sergeant Major H.J. Cull.[41]  Undoubtedly, QMS Cundall knew RSM Cull very well.  Cull was apparently a very efficient man and a good organizer, with the comfort of the soldiers passing through Barton Stacey very much a personal priority for him.  Under his guidance, and with the help of the other Warrant Officers and Sergeants at the depot, "Barton Stalag” as it was known to in-transit soldiers at the time lost its rather derogatory sobriquet.  The improved attitude of the depot personnel and the improved accommodation provided to soldiers passing through the Depot were credited in great measure to RSM Cull and his Warrant Officers and non-commissioned officers.[42] Some credit of course must also be given to the Commandant of the Royal Engineers Depot, Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Malcolm Cameron Smith, R.E.[43] 

In December of 1957 Lieutenant Colonel Smith was replaced as Commandant by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Sandeman Courtice, R.E.[44] His second in command was Major H.J. Colter, R.E. and his Adjutant was Captain P.H. Brazier, R.E. RSM Cull remained as the Depot Sergeant Major. 

In May of 1958 the new Commander, Training Brigade Royal Engineers, Brigadier Geoffery Lewis Galloway, D.S.O., O.B.E., G.M.[45] visited the unit and a ceremonial parade was held.  The Depot marched passed the reviewing officer under the command of its new Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Courtice. 

By June 1958 Cundall was still serving at the Royal Engineers Depot, Barton Stacey, and held the rank of Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant.  Although this rank was probably temporary, as it does not appear in his official military files, a photograph of him taken with other members of the Depot Warrant Officers and Sergeant Mess indicates that he was a SQMS at the time.[46] 

On 1 July 1958 SQMS Cundall reverted to the substantive rank of Sergeant at his own request.  There are no indications in his official records as to why he made such a request, so it appears that his actions in this regard may remain a mystery.  One can assume that some family or personal problem prompted him to take this action.  Perhaps it was a desire to be reassigned to a unit in a certain geographical location that had no vacancy for a Squadron Sergeant Major.  Shortly after reverting to the rank of Sergeant he was reassigned. 

Transfer to Longmoor and Liphook (1958 - 1959) 

Sergeant Cundall was reassigned from the Royal Engineers Depot in less than a month after reverting to his substantive rank.  He arrived at Longmoor Camp from Barton Stacey on 23 July 1958.  There he joined 2 Engineer Stores Depot (2ESD) which was actually located at Liphook, a few miles due east of Longmoor Camp.[47]  The Depot was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel M.B. (“Bill”) Adams, R.E.  His Deputy Commander was Major K.M. Beam, R.E. 

Figure 7.  Lieutenant Colonel M.B. (“Bill”) Adams, R.E.[48]
(Image from the Royal Engineers Journal) 

The 2 ESD was originally a War Office controlled depot responsible for the provision of engineer stores to its major command and for the establishment and training of the engineer resources support units of both the Regular and Reserve Army.  In 1949 command of the Engineer Stores Depots was transferred to a newly established command known as the Engineer Stores Establishment (ESE) set up in Dean Stanley Street in London under the command of Brigadier William Woodney Boggs. 

At the time that Sergeant Cundall joined the unit, 2 ESD was responsible for storing and issuing engineer plant (equipment).  The main work of the depot was in connection with operations in Korea, Malaya, Kenya and the Middle East, as well as the Christmas Island nuclear testing project and the Royal Engineers Works Services.  The depot provided operational and training requirements from the large stocks of military equipment in hand at the end of World War 2. It also initiated programs to identify and dispose of surplus stock . 

In wartime the Engineer Stores Depot was designed to hold up to 100,000 tons of engineer stores with an activity rate of 300,000 tons in and out of the depot per year.  The depot would employ up to 2,000 laborers.  The commander of the Engineer Stores Depot coordinated the output of all engineer units producing supplies for the Depot, such as engineer base workshops, stores and quarrying squadrons.  The Headquarters Squadron of the Depot included, in addition to the recognition and procurement of troops and  personnel for depot control.  

The officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks of the Depot were required to maintain their proficiency as engineer soldiers as well as their proficiency with storing and issuing plant.  As an example of the type of training they received periodically, in September of 1958 the unit spent a weekend at Cove where it went through a refresher course in field engineering.  This training was followed by the unit's annual range classification.[49] 

As with the R.E. Depot, 2 Engineer Stores Depot also received its share of visiting dignitaries for whom Sergeant Cundall and the other unit NCOs had to put on a show.  Late in 1958 they were visited by Brigadier S.J. Bleechmore, Engineer-in-Chief, Australia.[50] 

In autumn 1959, 5 Engineer Stores Depot amalgamated with 2 ESD to become 2 Engineer Stores Depot and Workshop, with the old 5 ESD becoming the spares sub-depot.[51]  This change in organization also brought about the need to change the rank of the depot commander.  Colonel A.J. le G. Jacob, M.B.E. was assigned from the War Office to take command of the newly designated unit in place of Lieutenant Colonel Adams.  This change did not take place, however, before Lieutenant Colonel Adams prepared the final assessment of Sergeant Cundall's military conduct and character in preparation for his discharge from the Army. 

On 22 October 1959 Lieutenant Colonel Adams wrote this about Sergeant Cundall: 

" A willing worker with a smart appearance & high moral character.  He has plenty of initiative & knows how to control staff quietly and tactfully.  He has a high sense of loyalty & is well liked & gets on well with his superior.” 

Sergeant Cundall's Certificate of Discharge was prepared at Brighton on 16 November 1959.  He was discharged from the Army on 4 December 1959 in accordance with Queen's Regulations, paragraph 503 (xxi)(b) on termination of his engagement.  His service with the Colours on the date of his discharge was reckoned at 22 years, with an additional 108 days of the service in the Army Reserve.  His total service, therefore, was considered to be 22 years and 108 days.  His service with the Colours was credited from 19 August 1937 to 8 June 1946 and from 25 September 1946 to 4 December 1959.  His overseas service was listed as follows:                          

                           Gibraltar:  3 November 1938 to 4 May 1942

                           North West Europe:  15 June 1944 to 18 February 1946

                           Gibraltar:  1 November 1950 to 14 June 1951 

Cundall’s substantive rank on the date of his discharge was listed as Sergeant.  On the date of his discharge he was described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.  He had no visible marks or scars on his body. 

Post-Military Life (1959 - 1995) 

            Ex-Sergeant Joseph Cundall and his family took up residence at 1, Osberton Road in Retford, Nottinghamshire, where he was employed as a Clerical Worker in the Retford Rubber Works.[52]  In 1968 his wife Violet died. Joseph Cundall remarried in 1974 and during that same year he retired from his job at the rubber works.  After retirement he kept himself occupied by doing two things that he very much enjoyed: walking and reading.  He particularly enjoyed walking his dog in the countryside.  He also appears to have enjoyed holidays in warm climates.[53] 

Figure 8.  1 Osberton Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire.
(Image courtesy of Google Earth) 

Joseph Cundall died at Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire on 11 May 1995.  He was 75 years old.  His death was certified by D.M. Turfrey, M.B. who listed the primary causes of death as a) carcinomatosis, and b) small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.[54]  Photographs of Sergeant Cundall taken in later life show that he was a cigarette smoker. No doubt this habit contributed to his cancer of the windpipe (bronchogenic carcinoma).  A secondary cause of death was listed as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.  Sergeant Cundall's daughter Sheila was present at his death.  On 12 May 1995 Joseph Cundall's death was registered in the District of Worksop, Sub-district of Worksop, County of Nottinghamshire by Mr. C. Chapman, Registrar.  Joseph Cundall left no will or grant of administration upon his death.  

The Medals of 2041739 Sergeant Joseph Cundall, R.E. 

For his service, Sergeant Cundall was awarded (from left to right) the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR) with clasp [REGULAR ARMY]. 

 ADDENDUM 1[1] 

Barton Stacey

While Sergeant Cundall was stationed at the Royal Engineers Depot at Barton Stacey from 1951 to 1958, he and his family lived at No. 3 East Road, in the village of Barton Stacey, near Andover in Hampshire.  During his off-duty time Sergeant Cundall and his wife and daughter went on many walks in the countryside.  During these walks he would show young Sheila numerous birds’ nests and their eggs in the nearby woodlands.  They would often stroll along the banks of the River Test which ran through the village of Barton Stacey.  Sergeant Cundall taught his young daughter the names of the various fish and wild flowers that they saw along the way.  In the autumn they would sometimes get up early in the morning and collect mushrooms from the nearby woods. 

Liphook

The Cundalls lived in the lovely village of Liphook from 1958 to 1959 when Sergeant Cundall was assigned to 2 Engineer Stores Depot.  Their address at that time was The Coach House, Chilbolton Manor, Liphook, Hampshire.  Their house had a lovely walled garden behind which was located a mysterious military area, possibly an ammunition storage area.  Although Sergeant Cundall knew what was stored in the secure area, he never spoke of it to his family.  If it was an ordnance depot of some type, he probably thought it better not to worry his family about its presence so close to their home.   

While at Liphook the Cundall’s recreation often consisted of visiting local sites of interest and beauty.  These included The Devil’s Punch Bowl at Hindhead[2] and the nearby town of Hazelmere.  The Cundalls also traveled south to Portsmouth on holiday, where they would catch the ferry to the Isle of Wight.  

Post-Military Life 

After Sergeant Cundall left the Army, he and his family lived with Mrs. Cundall’s parents for about a year.  Mrs. Cundall’s parents were originally from Scotland but were then residing at Harewood in West Yorkshire. 

Joseph Cundall loved the Army and had a difficult time adjusting to civilian life.  He suffered from that separation syndrome that afflicts so many career soldiers who spent the greater part of their young adult life in military service.  He was able to overcome his adjustment difficulties and eventually got a job in Retford, Nottinghamshire working for a builder.  He remained with the builder’s firm until sadly, his wife Violet died.  Fortunately, Mrs. Vickers had lived long enough to see her only child Sheila married in 1968.

Joseph Cundall married a second time, two years after the death of Violet.  After his marriage to his second wife, Joseph Cundall took a position at the rubber works in Retford where he was employed as the Export Manager because of his ability to speak both German and Spanish. 

He and his new wife often went on holidays abroad to Spain and Yugoslavia.  La Casa Rosemary is one of the places they visited in Torrevieja, Spain.  When not on holiday abroad, the Cundalls frequently visited Scotland, Southsea, Torquay, Bournemouth, Bridlington, Scarborough and Anglesy, Wales. 

Joseph Cundall’s hobbies where intellectual rather than physical.  He was not a sports fan.  Instead he enjoyed reading, particularly about the paranormal and archeology.  He was particularly fond of war stories, although he was always very reticent about his own war experiences.  His favorite book was The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer. 

His physical activity consisted of long walks in the countryside with his two dogs, Raque and Barny, whom he cared for very much.  When out walking he would collect branches from trees and bring them home.  In his garden shed he would carve these branches into walking sticks.  He loved to work with his hands and often turned his carpentry skills to making bird houses and small pieces of furniture. 

ADDENDUM 2[3]

Lieutenant Colonel M.B. “Bill” Adams commanded 2 Engineer Stores Depot and Workshop at Liphook for two years.  The organization of 2 ESD consisted of 10 officers, 30 other ranks and 300 civilians.[4]   

Colonel Adams’ command of the unit coincided with Sergeant Cundall’s assignment to 2 ESD; that is, during 1958 and 1959.  At this time the mission of 2 ESD was to receive and hold the engineer reserve of plant and then to issue the equipment as necessary after it had been restored to a state ready for use.  The plant returned to the depot was often in a poor state of repair.  The 2 ESD workshop, however, was a major repair facility where mechanical equipment could be completely overhauled.  After overhaul, plant was parked or crated, in the case of smaller items of equipment.  It was then ready for issue or storage as required.  As indicated in the main narrative, the nearby 5 ESD was a separate unit which was absorbed by 2 ESD and came under Lieutenant Colonel Adam’s command in 1959 as a sub-depot responsible for spare parts supply. 

Colonel Adams relates that 2 ESD was originally formed to repair and store engineer plant for the Normandy landings.  The formation of the unit involved drafting several hundred skilled craftsmen (fitters, blacksmiths, carpenters and other trades) from the Portsmouth Dockyard labour pool.  These craftsmen were highly unionized and in the early 1950s there were some serious labour problems associated with these men.  The problems were significant enough so that Colonel Adams’ predecessor, Colonel Horatio Nelson actually received the O.B.E. for sorting out the difficulties with the unions. 

Colonel Adams found the experience of working with so many civilian craftsmen very interesting.  He was required to attend Works Council Meetings and made good friends among the Shop Stewards, one of whom was a regular attendee at the 2 ESD football matches played by the soldiers of the unit.  

The primary role of 2 ESD during 1958 and 1959 was to issue plant for the Christmas Island atomic tests.  The unit also disposed of large quantities of surplus transportation plant which was stored in two nearby sub-depots.  In addition to these two special jobs, the depot also performed its regular role of seeing that engineer reserve plant was fit and ready for immediate use.  All work of 2 ESD had to be performed to very high standards. 

Shortly after the amalgamation of 5 ESD in 1959, the command of the new and larger 2 ESD was upgraded to the rank of Colonel.  As Adams was too junior then to be promoted, he was sent on a Specialist Engineering Course for a year until he was promoted to Colonel in 1961.  At that time he became Deputy Commandant of the Royal School of Military Engineering at Chatham.

REFERENCES  

Listed below are the references used in the preparation of this history of the life and military service of Sergeant Joseph Cundall. The Text Reference provided in parentheses after the full titles of the references are the shortened notations used in the footnotes of the narrative. It should be noted that in cases where facts are cited and not attributed, the information has been taken from either Army Form B. 108 or MOD, 28/7/1998 as described below. This method has been used to avoid unduly cluttering the text with footnote citations. 

Books  

1.      ADDISON, G.H. The Work of the Royal Engineers in the European War, 1914-1918. Miscellaneous. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1926. (Text Reference: Addison).

2.      AMBROSE, S. D-DAY, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II. Simon & Schuster, New York, 1994. (Text Reference: Ambrose).

3.      Automobile Association. AA Motorists Atlas of Great Britain. The Automobile Association, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 1984. (Text Reference: AA Atlas)

4.      BAEDEKER, K. Great Britain: Handbook for Travelers. Karl Baedeker, Leipzig, 1910. (Text Reference: Baedeker).

5.      BRADFORD, E. Gibraltar: The History of a Fortress. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., New York, 1971. (Text Reference: Bradford).

6.      DIETZ, P. (ed.) Garrison: Ten British Military Towns. Brassey's Defence Publishers, London, 1986. (Text Reference: Dietz).

7.      Institution of Royal Engineers. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, 1948-1960. Volume X. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1986. (Text Reference: HCRE, Vol. X).

8.      JOSLEN, H.F. Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939-45. London Stamp Exchange, London, 1990. (Text Reference: Joslen).

9.      MONTGOMERY, B.L. The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Montgomery. Collins, London, 1958. (Text Reference: Montgomery).

10.  PAKENHAM-WALSH, R.P. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, 1939-1948. Volume VIII. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1958). (Text Reference: Pakenham-Walsh, Vol. VIII).

11.  PAKENHAM-WALSH, R.P. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, 1948-1958. Volume IX. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1958. (Text Reference: Pakenham-Walsh, Vol. IX).

12.  THOMPSON, J. The Imperial War Museum Book of Victory in Europe: The North-West European Campaign, 1944-1945. Motorbooks International, London, 1994. (Text Reference: Thompson).

13.  War Office. Military Engineering: The Functions and Organization of the Royal Engineers in War. Volume I, Part I. The War Office, London, 1956. (Text Reference: WO Code No. 8839).  

Documents   

1.      Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth (Joseph Cundall), BXBY453737, General Register Office, 3 September 1998. Birth Registered in the District of Eton, County of Buckinghamshire by James Paterson, Registrar. (Text Reference: Birth Certificate).

2.      Regular Army Certificate of Service (2041739 Sergeant Joseph Cundall), Army Form B.108. (Text Reference: Army Form B.108).

3.      Certified Copy of an Entry of Death (Joseph Cundall), QDX187113, General Register Office, 16 March 1998. Death Registered in the District of Worksop, Sub-district of Worksop, County of Nottinghamshire by B. Chapman, Registrar. (Text Reference: Death Certificate).

4.      1921 Census of England. (Text Reference: Census).

Family Tree 

Ancestry.com: Joseph Cundall (1920-1995).  (Text Reference: FT). 

Periodicals  

1.      The Royal Engineers Quarterly List. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, October 1935. (Text Reference: REQL, 10/1935).

2.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, December 1946. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 12/1946).

3.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, October 1951. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 10/1951).

4.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, January 1952. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 1/1952).

5.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, December 1954. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 12/1954).

6.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, August 1956. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 8/1956).

7.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, October 1957. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 10/1957).

8.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, September 1958. (Text Reference: 9/1958).

9.      The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, October 1958. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 10/1958).

10.  The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, November 1958. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 11/1958).

11.  The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, January 1959. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 1/1959).

12.  The Sapper. The Regimental Journal of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Chatham, Kent, September 1959. (Text Reference: The Sapper, 9/1959).

13.  After the Battle, No. 21: Gibraltar. Battle of Britain Prints International Ltd., London, 1978. (Text Reference: After the Battle, No. 21)

14.  ADAMS, M.B. Military Engineers in India and the Royal Society. The Royal Engineers Journal, Vol. 108, No. 3. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, December 1994. (Text Reference: REJ, 12/1994).

Personal Communications   

1.      Ministry of Defence letter to Mrs. S. Vickers, dated 28 July 1998, re: Particulars of the Service of 2041739 Sergeant Joseph Cundall, Royal Engineers (Text Reference: MOD, 28/7/98).

2.      Telephone interview with Mrs. Sheila Vickers of Retford, Nottinghamshire by the author on 8 May 1998. (Text Reference: Vickers, 8/5/1998).

3.      Letter from Mrs. Sheila Vickers of Retford, Nottinghamshire to the author, dated 25 May 1958. (Text Reference: Vickers, 25/5/1998.

4.      Letter from Mr. Alan Rolfe of London to the author, dated 19 March 1998. (Text Reference: Rolfe, 19/3/1998).

5.      Letter from Mrs. Sheila Vickers of Retford, Nottinghamshire to the author, dated December 1998. (Text Reference: Vickers, 12/1998).

FOOTNOTES TO ADDENDUMS 1 & 2