No Silver for Golder - Golder Twins part 1
Captain John Bewley Golder Royal Artillery and Army Cadet Force
1939-45 Star. Africa Star. Italy Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Cadet Forces Medal.
The Man John Bewley Golder was born on Saturday 3rd November 1923 in Cheltenham, son of Alfred William a Physical Training Instructor and Games Master at Dean Close School and Edith May nee Thresher.
He was one of seven children, Marjory born in 1909, Kathleen May 1912, Mary Georgina 1913, Jean 23rd July 1917, Audrey 1920 who died shortly after birth, and his twin Richard George, born the same day, 3rd November 1923. The 1921 census shows the family living at 28 Tennyson Road in Cheltenham.
At the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John was aged 15 and too young to enlist, however the 1939 Register shows him living with Richard and family still at 28 Tennyson Road and they both members of 125 (Cheltenham) Squadron Air Defence Cadet Corps.
John also served in one of the Civil Defence organisations until 2nd July 1942, when aged 18 he was called up and enlisted into the 51st Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery as a Gunner and with service number 14224676. During the war he was eventually transferred to the 13th AT Regt RA seeing service with them in North Africa and Italy. Following the War, he was awarded his 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
He was released from active service on 6th March 1947 and placed onto the reserve until 17th October 1953. On 5th May 1948 he enlisted into the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers (TARO) for service with the Army Cadet Force in Gloucester and was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant service number 389560, Richard joining the same day with the following service number 389561. They may have been following their father as he was a Major in the ACF and awarded the MBE in 1947.
On 1st April 1950 following re-organisation of the Army structure John transferred from the TARO special list to the Army Cadet Force still as a 2nd Lieutenant and with seniority backdated. During 1956 he was appointed as a Technician at Gloucester General Post Office.
He and Richard were promoted to Lieutenant and acting Captain on 8th November 1951 and in the London Gazette of 29th July 1960 awarded the Cadet Forces Medal for 12 years service to the ACF in Gloucester.
John resigned from the Army Cadet force on 5th March 1970 retaining the honorary rank of Captain and continued living lived at 28 Tennyson, St Marks, Cheltenham with Richard, where they are shown in the 1974 Electoral Register.
In later life John and Richard were residents at Grevill House, London Road, Charlton Kings a Nursing Home in Cheltenham and he died on 31st January 1991 aged 68. He was cremated at Cheltenham Crematorium on Friday 8th February at 1430h. John was survived by Richard who died on 25th July 1994 aged 70.
John and Richard did not marry and had no children.
He was one of seven children, Marjory born in 1909, Kathleen May 1912, Mary Georgina 1913, Jean 23rd July 1917, Audrey 1920 who died shortly after birth, and his twin Richard George, born the same day, 3rd November 1923. The 1921 census shows the family living at 28 Tennyson Road in Cheltenham.
At the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, John was aged 15 and too young to enlist, however the 1939 Register shows him living with Richard and family still at 28 Tennyson Road and they both members of 125 (Cheltenham) Squadron Air Defence Cadet Corps.
John also served in one of the Civil Defence organisations until 2nd July 1942, when aged 18 he was called up and enlisted into the 51st Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery as a Gunner and with service number 14224676. During the war he was eventually transferred to the 13th AT Regt RA seeing service with them in North Africa and Italy. Following the War, he was awarded his 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
He was released from active service on 6th March 1947 and placed onto the reserve until 17th October 1953. On 5th May 1948 he enlisted into the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers (TARO) for service with the Army Cadet Force in Gloucester and was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant service number 389560, Richard joining the same day with the following service number 389561. They may have been following their father as he was a Major in the ACF and awarded the MBE in 1947.
On 1st April 1950 following re-organisation of the Army structure John transferred from the TARO special list to the Army Cadet Force still as a 2nd Lieutenant and with seniority backdated. During 1956 he was appointed as a Technician at Gloucester General Post Office.
He and Richard were promoted to Lieutenant and acting Captain on 8th November 1951 and in the London Gazette of 29th July 1960 awarded the Cadet Forces Medal for 12 years service to the ACF in Gloucester.
John resigned from the Army Cadet force on 5th March 1970 retaining the honorary rank of Captain and continued living lived at 28 Tennyson, St Marks, Cheltenham with Richard, where they are shown in the 1974 Electoral Register.
In later life John and Richard were residents at Grevill House, London Road, Charlton Kings a Nursing Home in Cheltenham and he died on 31st January 1991 aged 68. He was cremated at Cheltenham Crematorium on Friday 8th February at 1430h. John was survived by Richard who died on 25th July 1994 aged 70.
John and Richard did not marry and had no children.
John Bewley Golder's Medal Index Card
RA Tracer Card
Gloucestershire Echo. 2nd February 1991
The Story See Richard George Golder for full story.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Cadet Forces Medal: CAPT. J.B.GOLDER
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This page last updated 13 Apr 25
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