This is the scanned picture of my Teid (my Welsh maternal grandfather) which I received yesterday morning. In the beginning of the First World War there were too many volunteers for the Royal Navy. So Winston Churchill created the Royal Naval Division which fought on land but retained Naval ranks and traditions. "It was regarded as a highly efficient fighting force and played a prominent part in some of the bloodiest battles of the war".Teid had volunteered to join the Navy in 1915 and was sent to the RND. He eventually became a Captain (temporary wartime commission RNVR). He fought in Gallipoli and on the Western front in the First World War. In 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross for attacking and capturing a German Machine Gun post and taking 40 prisoners.
After the War he became a Regular Warrant Officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and in the Second World War he was a Warrant officer in the Royal Air Force. So he served in all three Armed Services. I was 9 when he died in 1971.
This picture is important to me. I have waited a long time to get a copy. It was obviously displayed in pride of place in my grandparents' home in Denbigh, North Wales. Together with the actual Military Cross and the Certificate of Honour from his hometown of Abercarn. All my (seven) maternal aunties and uncles also had copies displayed prominently in their homes. I am sure that many families can relate to this experience.
However, equally important to the Mathews family, Teid, was also known as someone who would stand up for ordinary people in the local community. Someone who write and send letters to Landlords, employers, the Bank, the Council or whoever - on behalf of those who could not express themselves in this way.
In our family we took pride in him representing ordinary working people as well in his bravery in Battle.
