Four Generations by Cadet Ellie Down – Rochdale Detachment 1 (Minden) Company GMACF

Cadet Ellie Down with her family

I would like to introduce you to my family.

I am Cadet Ellie Down of Rochdale Detachment, Number One (Minden) Company GMACF, affiliated to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. I am 14 years old.

Whilst on active service in the Great War, my Great, Great Grandad 2872 Private Thomas Marcroft of the Lancashire Fusiliers suffered a head injury, which ended with him needing a silver plate in his head. He was brought back to England to recuperate. He was not able to return to active duty but instead he served out the rest of the Great War working in our Prisoner of War Camps.

At the end of the war he was awarded the medals known then as “Pip, Squeak and Wilfred,” (the War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star).

My Great Grandad 3448063 Pte Norman Lake 5th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers received the 1939–1945 Star, the Africa Star, the Italy Star, the War Medal 1935–1945 and the Territorial Medal for his service.

Then in 1977 following an approach from the Australian Government he was awarded the Tubruk Siege Medal 1941 for his services alongside the Australian Army. There are very few people who received this medal.

Great Grandad had lied about his age to enlist as he and his brother Jim wanted to sign up together. Jim was seriously injured which left him with both his legs needing to be amputated. Before Jim was returned to Britain, the Army arranged for Great Grandad to be transferred to see his brother - this was done on compassionate grounds. Great Grandad was then returned to his squadron.

My Grandad, Frank Dale (Mum’s dad) also served at the end of the Second World War and received the War Medal 1935–1945. Because he was very young, by the time his troop ship arrived in India, the War was almost over.

My Grandad passed away in December 2002 when I was just two years old. I know he would have been very proud to see me as a member of the Army Cadet Force today.