Silver for Golder - Golder Twins part 2
Major Richard George Golder Army Cadet Force
1939-45 Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Jubilee Medal 1977. Cadet Forces Medal & 2 clasps.
The Man Only minimal information is available about Richard George Golder, but he was born on 3rd November 1923 in Cheltenham, his Mother’s maiden name was Thresher and he had a twin brother John Bewley, born the same day. Richard served in the armed forces during World War II, enlisting some time after November 1941 and was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Defence and War Medal 1939-1945.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 389561. John enlisted the same day with the preceding number 389560. On 1st April 1950 following re-organisation of the Army structure he transferred from the TARO special list to the Army Cadet Force still as a 2nd Lieutenant and with seniority backdated. He and John were promoted to Lieutenant and acting Captain, and in the London Gazette of 29th July 1960 awarded the Cadet Forces Medal for 12 years service to the ACF in Gloucester. Subsequently promoted to Acting Major, Richard was awarded the first clasp to his CFM on 11th July 1972 and in 1977 the Silver Jubilee Medal whilst serving at the ACF Headquarters in Gloucester. On 29th April 1980 he was awarded the second clasp to his CFM representing 28 years service to the Cadet Forces. On 31st January 1985 he retired from the ACF aged 62 retaining the rank of Honorary Major and lived at 28 Tennyson, St Marks, Cheltenham with John. In later life he lived at Greville House, London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham and died during the third quarter of August 1994 aged 70. It seems that Richard may never have married or had any children.
This group of medals is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. They are in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this man.
The Story The medals awarded to John Bewley Golder and his brother Richard George Golder, were acquired in quite different circumstances to each other and several years apart. Richard’s medals were won on e-Bay on 21st December 2008 and were of interest because of the Cadet Forces Medal and 1977 Silver Jubilee combination. Some basic research was undertaken from the London Gazette and ancestry.com during which it was noted that he had a twin brother, John Bewley Golder who had been appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Cadet Force the same days as Richard and whose service was one digit behind him. They shadowed each other in the London Gazette until 1970 when John resigned. A search for Richard’s will in London proved unsuccessful and on a subsequent visit John’s will was withdrawn to establish if there were any further leads. No further research was undertaken until an e-mail was received in January 2014, as a result of this web site, offering John’s Cadet Forces Medal for sale. Clearly the chance of reuniting medals of twins was too great an opportunity to turn down and John’s CFM was eventually acquired in March 2014 and married with Richards. Although their biographies are basic, this is an example of the power of the internet, as previously the medals may never have been bought back together.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as issued
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as issued
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as issued
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: Unnamed as issued
- Cadet Forces Medal: CAPT. R.G.GOLDER.
This page last updated 31 Mar 14