Altrincham WW2 

Geoffrey Alfred Gaddum

Rank:MajorNumber:130982
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:15th (Scottish) Rgt
Name of Rgt or Ship:Reconnaisance Corps (R.A.C.)
Died:24/10/1944Age:34
How Died:Died of Wounds
Country of burial:NetherlandsGrave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born at Bowdon, Cheshire on the 8th October 1910 - during the December
quarter 1910 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/152 (Registered in the name of
Gaddun), the youngest son of Henry Edwin & Phyllis Mary Gaddum, The Priory,
Bowdon.

1911 Census - Son - aged: 5 months - born: Bowdon, Cheshire.    Father
Henry Edwin - aged: 45 - occ: Silk Merchant - born: Rusholme, Manchester.  
  Mother, Phyllis Mary - aged: 33 - born: London.    They had been married
for 11 years and produced 7 children of whom 6 were still alive (only five
were listed).  They employed five servants.

Attended Rugby School.

Employed in the family business of H.T. Gaddum & Sons.

Member of Manchester RUFC and played for Lancashire.

On the 15th November 1939, he joined the Army as a Fusilier.  Less than one
year later, he was commisioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 9th Battalion,
Lancashire Fusiliers.  In November 1940, he transferred to the Royal
Armoured Corps and in December 1941 to the Reconnaisance Corps (R.A.C.). 
The role of the Reconnaissance Corps was to obtain accurate tactical
information on the enemy and the ground in all phases of war and pass it
back quickly to the higher command.

By 1944 he had risen to the rank of Major and when operating in the
Eindhoven area of Holland, he was wounded by a mine as he sought to assist
his men who had been similarly wounded.   He died in hospital five hours
later.

His death was reported in the 03/11/1944 edition of the Sale & Stretford
Guardian.

M.I. - "Greater love hath no man than this".

Died of wounds at either the 79th or the 86th British General Hospitals
that were located at Eindhoven between September 1944 and May 1945.

Memorials found on:
St. Mary's (Bowdon)
St. Mary's (Rosthern)
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