What a Hero!

On Monday, 12^th October, 2015, the President of Garstang Circle, Brother Tom Ibison and the Circle Membership Officer, Brother John Cadden, attended the Blesma Home in Blackpool, (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association Home)  and presented Brother Bill Sharples, Garstang Circle, with a 70 year miniature medal to mark Brother Bill’s 70 year membership of the Catenian Association, a medal only introduced by the Catenian Association for the first time earlier this year for Brothers achieving 70 years continuous membership and the medal had kindly been engraved by a Circle Brother “70 years membership”

Brother Bill joined the Association on 27^th March, 1945, when he was enrolled into Preston 14 Circle where his father was a member. Bill is currently the second longest serving member in the Catenian Association. He, along with his late father, became members of Garstang Circle on 29th April, 1965, when it was inaugurated. His father was the Circle’s first President and Bill his Vice President, succeeding his father as President 12 months later.

The timing of Brother Bill’s presentation was very appropriate, for only weeks earlier, he was the recipient of the Republic of France’s highest military award, the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, and awarded recently to British Servicemen for their acknowledged involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War, when Bill was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

It was on 26^th June, 1944, a date which will remain in Bill’s memory for ever when his active service came to an end.  Under enemy fire in Normandy, he was shot in his legs and his right shoulder, the injuries to his right leg being so serious it had to be amputated.

Brother Bill, who is now 91 years of age and a widower for 25 years, has been a resident at the Blesma Home in Blackpool since early 2014; he is very contented and stoical despite a number of health problems. His philosophy for life is “I never complain about the things I cannot do, I am just grateful for the things I can do.”

Finally, a very moving paragraph in the letter from the French Consul to Bill reads,” As we contemplate this Europe of peace, we must never forget heroes like you, who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”

(Left to right)

Brother Tom Ibison, Bill in the centre and Brother John Cadden on the right. Bill’s 70 year miniature is on the left as you look at the picture and the Legion of Honour award with the red ribbon is on its own above his military medals on the right