At the battle of Arras according to 'Dunkirk and the Fall of France' there was a distinct shortage of provisions. The above Padre according to the book I'm reading organised 'effective' looting raids into the abandoned shops in the city. Does anyone have any further information on this or more importantly the Padre? It appears he survived the war.
For in spite of ... raids on the NAAFI by the Padre, Rev. C. H. D. Cullingford, described in one diary as "a born thief," feeding the Battalion had become something of a problem. Ellis Welsh Guards at War. That's your lot, I'm afraid. PS have a word with Rich - 4th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers took part in the Arras counter attack and took 40 prisoners...
According to the Bn's War Diary he joined the Bn on 18/10/39. There appears to be no other mention of him in the month of May.
Cecil Cullingford became Headmaster of Monmouth School in 1946. In his autobiography Victor Spinetti called him the "muscular Christian". Cullingford did a great deal to turn the school round from a run down wartime edifice to the fine institution it is today. He wasn't universally liked. He was also an expert on caving and wrote several books on the subject as well as dabbling in archaeology
Cecil Cullingford became Headmaster of Monmouth School in 1946. In his autobiography Victor Spinetti called him the "muscular Christian". Cullingford did a great deal to turn the school round from a run down wartime edifice to the fine institution it is today. He wasn't universally liked. He was also an expert on caving and wrote several books on the subject as well as dabbling in archaeology Hi - Thanks for that post. Does his autobiography contain much on his time in France during 1939/40?
Drew - if I'm reading Fat Henry's post correctly then Cullingford is mentioned in the autobiography of Victor Spinetti (ie it is not a biography of Cullingford, he just happens to be mentioned). Victor Spinetti seems to be an actor of some sorts and the book in question is titled "Victor Spinetti up front" and it features on the front cover a picture of a very unattractive man in his leopard print underpants........ ********************************************* Wiki has this on Spinetti - Born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Wales, Spinetti was educated at Monmouth School (which is why the school is mentioned in his autobiography) However, from there Wiki has Cullingford's full name on a page for the school - 1946 Cecil Howard Dunstan Cullingford
Rev Cecil Cullingford; Obituary.(Features) - Version details - Trove 1990-07-19, English, Article, Other article edition: Rev Cecil Cullingford; Obituary.(Features) The Rev Cecil Howard Dunstan Cullingford, school and army chaplain, headmaster and rural dean, besides being an early authority on caving, died aged 85 on July 7. He was born on September 13, COPYRIGHT 1990 The Times ************************************** Interesting mention of caving - apparently he wrote a number of books on the subject - the Science of Speleology
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34645/pages/4836/page.pdf THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 JULY, 1939 ROYAL ARMY CHAPLAINS' DEPARTMENT The undermentioned to be Chaplains to the Forces, 4th Cl.: Rev. Cecil Howard Dunstan CULLINGFORD, M.A. 1st June 1939
The army lists from 1940 onwards list him as Chaplains department reserve of officers, he is still listed as such on the 1946 list but now as Chaplain class 1. He does not show up on any employed list. (yet) Extract army list 1940:
Cecil Cullingford is listed as being Vicar of Stiffkey Norfolk in 1968. I have a photograph of him taken in Spring 1953 but cannot insert it with this post.
