Hello all forum members B SGT Major Harry Clacher

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Paul Clacher, Jun 10, 2020.

  1. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    Firstly hello to all members new and old .
    I joined this forum to help with the research of my Great granddad BATTERT SERGEANT MAJOR HARRY CLACHER. I will apologize in advance for the newbie questions. I don't have his military records and I don't have in my possession a copy of his death certificate to apply for these yet also.
    I have a 60 year photo album varying from 1916 to 1986... And also some references for jobs after the war (2) and a red cross letter tosto his wife after been liberated.
    Facts I know:
    He served in the royal artillery ( Later anti tank detachment) from 1916 though to decommissioning after ww2 .
    He was reported last seen on the beach of Dunkirk early may 1940 .( Paper clipping)
    He was a prisoner of war at stalag 20a after this untill he was liberated somewhere by Americans in August 1945.
    I've attached a photo of him and a photo of his medals ( apologies for quality it's a photo of a photo , medals are still in the family though fortunately).
    If IMG_20200609_195607.jpg IMG_20200609_212116.jpg any one can't point me into the right direction on this forum that would be great and if anyone who served or who has family whom served with him any information would be massively appreciated. Also any info on the medals in the photos would be a great help too.
    Again apologies if this post is in the wrong section.

    Kind regards Paul Clacher
     
  2. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hello and welcome to the forum Paul.
    Don't worry about newbie questions-I can assure you we've all had them at one time or another;). There are no stupid questions just stupid answers (well from some of the members anyway!).

    It still is the best thing to apply for service records from the MOD when you get your father's death certificate, as there is rather a long wait for them at the moment.
    Get a copy of military service records

    I'm certain that you won't have long to wait for members to come along with more specific answers to your questions. Look forward to seeing your photos in future posts, and good luck with the rest of your research.

    Lesley
     
    Guy Hudson and Tony56 like this.
  3. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    Thank you Lesley for your reply and kind welcome... Im going to get them filled out tonight... The more and more I look at the album the more and more questions I have .
    It's very detailed before and after both wars not much apart from newspaper cuttings . The album is great his humour comes through in it . Little notes and quotes

    Thanks again Paul
     
    4jonboy and Chris C like this.
  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Welcome aboard Paul. That is an interesting array of medals for the family. Do I spot a Meritorious Service Medal at the end of the set of minitures?
     
  5. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    Thanks bamboo43 I really wish I knew .( Attached full photo). the chap further back was my grandad Colin.. Harry at the front sitting down .. he had 3 sons whom served .. 2 in the navy , one been my grandad Colin Clacher served on HMS Beagle throughout ww2 and liberation of jersey IMG_20200609_195547.jpg . and William Clacher whom died on the royal Oak in Scarpa flow . Unfortunately I can't find anything to date on the 3rd son Dick atm..
     
  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Welcome Paul, I assume this to be your great grandfather:

    Casualty List No. 250 Dated 9 July 1940
    Expeditionary Forces /France / Missing
    Royal Artillery
    1051020 CLACHER B.S.M. H Date of casualty 29.5.40

    Casualty List No. 299 Dated 4 September 1940
    Expeditionary Forces /France / Prisoner of War, previously reported as missing
    Royal Artillery
    1051020 CLACHER B.S.M. H 225/57 A.Tk. Regt Date of casualty 29.5.40

    Casualty List No. 1801 Dated 6 July 1945
    Previously reported POW in German hands (Germany) now not POW
    Royal Artillery
    1051020 CLACHER B.S.M. H 225/57 A.Tk. R

    Record set Prisoners Of War 1715-1945
    Archive reference WO 392/11
    Camp No: 383 [Hohen Fels]
    POW No: 15783
    Name: Clacher H
    Rank: BSM
    Army No: 1051020
    Regt: RA
    RO No: 5

    Staffordshire Sentinel 3 Sept 1940
    Clacher.jpg

    You may be able to identify medals here:
    Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2020
    4jonboy, Paul Clacher and bamboo43 like this.
  7. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    Wow thank you Tony ... That information helps a lot , I have a similar paper clipping but from a different newspaper..the sentinel is local to me also.
     
  8. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Welcome Paul
     
    Paul Clacher likes this.
  9. bofors

    bofors Senior Member

    Hi
    Welcome too,
    Is that a Long Service Good Conduct with a clasp before it, and is it a Distinguished Conduct Medal before that??
    From the left is British War and Victory medals for WW1 and then France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and 1939-45 War medal.

    regards

    Robert
     
    Paul Clacher likes this.
  10. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    Thank you Robert .. this is all helping lots , I found s discharge letter from 1921 last night .
    I've narrowed him down to the
    1st Staffordshire Artillery Volunteers
    And reading into them they were in a lot of the battles during ww1
     
  11. Paul Clacher

    Paul Clacher Member

    To confirm the
    Medal for Long Service and
    Good Conduct was presented to him by general Ironside
    There's a photo of this with an inscription by Harry.
     

Share This Page