GELDARD, John
Lieutenant, 277778
617 ASSAULT SQUADRON,
ROYAL ENGINEERS
He came from The Grange, Ilkley, Yorkshire and was killed locally on the 13th February 1944, aged 21 in a road accident. His parents were Nicholas and Olga Mary Geldard. He was married to Margaret Mary Geldard. BA (Cantab). His wife Margaret was the niece of the Reverend Sutton, Rector of Saint Andrew's Church Abberton.
He was training in the area in preparation for the landings in Normandy. His Unit, 617 Assault Squadron, were much involved in late 1944 at Nijmegen on the River Waal developing and assembling the equipment and training the crews for the Rhine crossings, which were to follow as part of "Operation Plunder" in March 1945.
He was entitled to the Defence Medal and the 1939-45 War Medal.
His body has rested with us at Saint Andrew’s for over 50 years in Row 10 Grave L.
The Priest's chair at Saint Andrew's is also dedicated to his memory with the inscription :-
"To the Glory of God and in loving memory of John Geldard
Lieutenant Royal Engineers.
Margaret his wife gave this.
steel true and blade straight"
REFERENCES
Information obtained from The Commonwealth War Graves web site. www.
cwgc.org/The pictures of the medals were kindly provided by Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd.
08/23/01 last updated
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These pages are dedicated to the memory of the Fallen from the two World Wars, who lived in Abberton & Langenhoe.. Prepared by Saint Andrew's Parochial Church Council. November 11th 2000