Corporal Cyril Edward Watson Whittle Royal Army Ordnance Corps
The Man Cyril Edward Watson Whittle was born in the last quarter of 1927 on the Wirral, Merseyside, son of George B and Florence nee Smith.
Cyril would have been just too young to serve in World War reaching 18 in late 1945, however he wore the Defence and War Medal 1939-45, which may have been possible dependant on what he did as a young volunteer and joining the Army aged 17.
He seems to have served in Berlin post war as possessed two bronze medallions issued to commemorate the "Eight Nations' Track & Field" competition between Allied troops, held on 7th & 8th September 1946 after the British Military Commander authorised the reopening of the Sports Stadium on 7th September to allow them.
Whether Cyril was already serving or called up for his National Service, he served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, with service number 19087481 and promoted to Corporal. He saw active service in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency and awarded the General Service Medal with ‘Malaya’ clasp.
During the final quarter of 1953 aged 26 Cyril married Eileen Baxter in Wallsey and became a Special Constable being awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal for nine years’ service.
Cyril and Eileen moved to Wales and he was a keen member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes, No H6692 at Clwyd Lodge No 3537. Having joined in about 1964 he passed the first degree the same year, 2nd Degree on 15th November 1994 being ‘raised’ at the same time. He was ‘exalted’ on 10th February 1998 and made 3rd Degree 10th July 1998. He was ‘exalted’ again on 3rd June 2003 and Grand President of Rhyl and District in 2004, being awarded several jewels.
In the mid to late 2000s, Cyril and Eileen lived at 18, Maes Y Dre, Holywell Road, Caerwys, Mold, Flintshire, Wales and Cyril died on 30 Dec 2007 aged 80.
Cyril would have been just too young to serve in World War reaching 18 in late 1945, however he wore the Defence and War Medal 1939-45, which may have been possible dependant on what he did as a young volunteer and joining the Army aged 17.
He seems to have served in Berlin post war as possessed two bronze medallions issued to commemorate the "Eight Nations' Track & Field" competition between Allied troops, held on 7th & 8th September 1946 after the British Military Commander authorised the reopening of the Sports Stadium on 7th September to allow them.
Whether Cyril was already serving or called up for his National Service, he served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, with service number 19087481 and promoted to Corporal. He saw active service in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency and awarded the General Service Medal with ‘Malaya’ clasp.
During the final quarter of 1953 aged 26 Cyril married Eileen Baxter in Wallsey and became a Special Constable being awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal for nine years’ service.
Cyril and Eileen moved to Wales and he was a keen member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes, No H6692 at Clwyd Lodge No 3537. Having joined in about 1964 he passed the first degree the same year, 2nd Degree on 15th November 1994 being ‘raised’ at the same time. He was ‘exalted’ on 10th February 1998 and made 3rd Degree 10th July 1998. He was ‘exalted’ again on 3rd June 2003 and Grand President of Rhyl and District in 2004, being awarded several jewels.
In the mid to late 2000s, Cyril and Eileen lived at 18, Maes Y Dre, Holywell Road, Caerwys, Mold, Flintshire, Wales and Cyril died on 30 Dec 2007 aged 80.
The Story The medal group awarded to Cyril Edward Watson Whittle was acquired from E Bay on 8th November 2021 and of interest because of the large number of named Royal Antediluvian Jewels that came with them. Although of no particular value, these types of additional awards always tell more about the man than hitherto may be known.
The usual Ancestry.UK trawl revealed a little more detail, but the main conundrum, is the fact the medals as mounted include the Defence and War Medal 1939-45, yet Cyril was not 18 until at least October 1945, thus would have been too young.
However, as they came mounted together and the fact there are examples of youngsters under 18 serving in the ARP, also of joining the regular forces aged 17 and that he seems to have served in post war Berlin and a Corporal in the Malayan Campaign, they have been left together.
The usual Ancestry.UK trawl revealed a little more detail, but the main conundrum, is the fact the medals as mounted include the Defence and War Medal 1939-45, yet Cyril was not 18 until at least October 1945, thus would have been too young.
However, as they came mounted together and the fact there are examples of youngsters under 18 serving in the ARP, also of joining the regular forces aged 17 and that he seems to have served in post war Berlin and a Corporal in the Malayan Campaign, they have been left together.
Cyril Whittle's Royal Antediluvean Order of the Buffaloes Jewels. Named left to right as follows:
1. No naming
2. BRO CYRIL E.W.WHITTLE N.6692. RAISED 15-11-94 CLWYD LODGE No 3537
3. No naming
4. BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE H 6692 CLWYD LODGE No3537 EXALTED 3-6-2003
5. PRESENTED TO BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE R.O.H. H 6692 FOR SERVICES RENDERED AS P.G.P 2004
6. BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE H6692 CLWYD LODGE No 3537 EXALTED 10-2 1998
1. No naming
2. BRO CYRIL E.W.WHITTLE N.6692. RAISED 15-11-94 CLWYD LODGE No 3537
3. No naming
4. BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE H 6692 CLWYD LODGE No3537 EXALTED 3-6-2003
5. PRESENTED TO BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE R.O.H. H 6692 FOR SERVICES RENDERED AS P.G.P 2004
6. BRO CYRIL E W WHITTLE H6692 CLWYD LODGE No 3537 EXALTED 10-2 1998
Reverse of Jewel's 1 and 4
Medal Details
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- General Service Medal: C19087481. CPL. C.E.W.WHITTLE. RAOC.
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: CYRIL E.W.WHITTLE
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