Albert's Medal Finds Its Way Home
Corporal Albert Edward Ironside
Trustee John Richardson receiving the donation.
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Local MP Mrs. Madeleine Moon receiving her grandfather's medal from Mr. Andrew Lee.
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On Saturday 3rd November, Porthcawl Museum hosted a most remarkable occasion. Local MP Mrs. Madeline Moon was presented with one of her grandfather’s WW1 medals by Mr. Andrew Lee, a Royal Naval Falklands Veteran, who had travelled down from Barnard Castle, Tyne and Weir.
What was so remarkable was that Mrs. Moon had all but given up hope of ever tracking down any of her grandfather’s medals.
Corporal Albert Edward Ironside, attached to the ‘O’ Cable Section, Royal Engineers, had been killed on 22nd July 1917, whilst laying communication lines, preceding the battle. Albert, a farm labourer from Sunderland, married with one son, also, called Albert Edward, who would later become Madeleine’s father, had enlisted in the R.E. prior to the war. On 15th August he landed in France with the B.E.F. and throughout the next three years would have been assigned to laying signal communications in various parts of the Western Front. In July 1917 his unit was assigned to laying cables in unsuitable terrain, fearing bombardment from German shelling, amidst the heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to Passchendaele. Yet the Germans had changed tactics by July 1917. They allowed the enemy to cover an increasing amount of ground in the hope that they would lose momentum. Consequently, forward signal parties would often become involved in fighting. Such evidence suggests that Corporal Ironside may have, therefore, been entrapped and died fighting. Corporal Albert Edward Ironside is buried in Dozinghem Cemetery, North East of Ypres. Following his death, his widow married again and unfortunately, in time, Albert’s medals got lost.
In 2014, as part of the Porthcawl Museum’s research into local WW1 soldiers, Mrs. Moon visited the museum and related Albert’s story; as recounted in his pocket diary. Ceri Joseph then wrote and uploaded the story onto the museum’s WW1 website - porthcawlandthegreatwar.com
Three months ago, whilst trawling the internet Mr. Andrew Lee came across the story and on recognising Albert’s name and number contacted the museum. Andrew had some years before bought Albert’s 1914-1915 Star medal, from an internet site. Mrs. Moon on being told of this discovery eagerly contacted Andrew.
Consequently, Andrew and his wife, Brenda, arrived at the museum with the medal. It was Andrew’s wish that Mrs. Moon receive the medal, and that the cost of the medal be given as a donation to the museum. This wonderful gesture, and the honour felt by Mrs. Moon, was clearly appreciated by all those present.
Andrew, later commented,” I would just like to say how proud this day has made me feel, to finally return the medal of Albert Edward Ironside to where it rightfully belongs.”
Mrs. Moon expressed her immense gratitude to Andrew, stating that through his kindness she will be able to wear the medal in honour of Albert at next week’s WW1 Remembrance Service on Saturday 10thNovember at All Saints Church; and at the Armistice Service the following day.
Porthcawl Museum Trustee, Mr. John Richardson, who, gratefully received the donation from Mrs. Moon expressed how proud the Museum was in the part it had played in this memorable experience; and especially with it coinciding with the Centenary of the end of the First World War.
What was so remarkable was that Mrs. Moon had all but given up hope of ever tracking down any of her grandfather’s medals.
Corporal Albert Edward Ironside, attached to the ‘O’ Cable Section, Royal Engineers, had been killed on 22nd July 1917, whilst laying communication lines, preceding the battle. Albert, a farm labourer from Sunderland, married with one son, also, called Albert Edward, who would later become Madeleine’s father, had enlisted in the R.E. prior to the war. On 15th August he landed in France with the B.E.F. and throughout the next three years would have been assigned to laying signal communications in various parts of the Western Front. In July 1917 his unit was assigned to laying cables in unsuitable terrain, fearing bombardment from German shelling, amidst the heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to Passchendaele. Yet the Germans had changed tactics by July 1917. They allowed the enemy to cover an increasing amount of ground in the hope that they would lose momentum. Consequently, forward signal parties would often become involved in fighting. Such evidence suggests that Corporal Ironside may have, therefore, been entrapped and died fighting. Corporal Albert Edward Ironside is buried in Dozinghem Cemetery, North East of Ypres. Following his death, his widow married again and unfortunately, in time, Albert’s medals got lost.
In 2014, as part of the Porthcawl Museum’s research into local WW1 soldiers, Mrs. Moon visited the museum and related Albert’s story; as recounted in his pocket diary. Ceri Joseph then wrote and uploaded the story onto the museum’s WW1 website - porthcawlandthegreatwar.com
Three months ago, whilst trawling the internet Mr. Andrew Lee came across the story and on recognising Albert’s name and number contacted the museum. Andrew had some years before bought Albert’s 1914-1915 Star medal, from an internet site. Mrs. Moon on being told of this discovery eagerly contacted Andrew.
Consequently, Andrew and his wife, Brenda, arrived at the museum with the medal. It was Andrew’s wish that Mrs. Moon receive the medal, and that the cost of the medal be given as a donation to the museum. This wonderful gesture, and the honour felt by Mrs. Moon, was clearly appreciated by all those present.
Andrew, later commented,” I would just like to say how proud this day has made me feel, to finally return the medal of Albert Edward Ironside to where it rightfully belongs.”
Mrs. Moon expressed her immense gratitude to Andrew, stating that through his kindness she will be able to wear the medal in honour of Albert at next week’s WW1 Remembrance Service on Saturday 10thNovember at All Saints Church; and at the Armistice Service the following day.
Porthcawl Museum Trustee, Mr. John Richardson, who, gratefully received the donation from Mrs. Moon expressed how proud the Museum was in the part it had played in this memorable experience; and especially with it coinciding with the Centenary of the end of the First World War.