I
have owned the above WW1 cap and officers accessories for many years, having
purchased them from a small antique dealer in Kingston upon Thames, probably in the late
70's.
The
inscription on the Ammo Pouch says G V Lidbury RFA, but the cap badge is clearly Royal
Engineers.
So
we have a mystery that needs solving.
If
you have any information on the Lidbury family, or how this cap came to be in Kingston,
I would be grateful to hear from you.
Please e mail: guy@trenchmap.com
Within 2 weeks of posting the above request, (I had not
even had a chance to post the pictures!)
I have been contacted by Dale
Lidbury, and my grateful thanks go to
Dale for sending me the following information. Dale bears the same surname,
but is not related to GVL, I thank him for his kind response to my request. 12th Dec 2005
George Victor Lidbury and was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1887. He was the
son of Oliver Joseph and Eliza Lidbury.
George served in WW1 in the Royal Field Artillery as a corporal, regiment
number 2581, and as a 2nd Lt.
He also served in WW2 in the Corps. of Royal Engineers, although had to
reliquish his post on account of ill health, 21 April 1942, and was granted the rank of
Captain.
George had married Vera Florence Rumble/Lidbury in Wandsworth, London in 1935,
there were no children from this marriage. Since George was 48 and Vera 46, at the
time this is probably not surprising.
George died in Wandsworth in 1966 aged 79. His wife Vera Florence
Lidbury, incidentally, died in Kingston - on - Thames in 1974, so this may explain why
your items surfaced there.
Interestingly, there were other Lidbury's in K-O-T at the same time, so could
be family members. So it would appear that the items you have are a mixture of his time
served in both World Wars.
He probably had brothers or sisters, whose families would be alive today.
Dale Lidbury 4th December 2005
My grateful thanks go to Stephen Hall for contacting me
with the following informatio, and at last a photograph of George Victor Lidbury (above)
Hi Guy
I have
been in contact with Dale Lidbury who told me about your web site. George Victor Lidbury
is one of my relations. Just recently another relation out the blue sent me some photos.
One of them I have attached to this Email. They are three brother in laws on the
right George Victor Lidbury, centre Thomas Hall and left Henry Bowie Lieutenant 3rd
Battalion attached 6th Battalion Blackwatch.
Best wishes
Stephen Hall
23rd Jan 2007
Hi Guy
I don't know much about George he was born 4th
June 1887 Blackpool Lancashire he had five brother's and sister's. His father Oliver
Joseph Lidbury Sergeant Major Royal Artillery Mother Eliza Cox ( Lidbury ). I
think George was a architect but I am not that sure. The is a news paper article of a
relations burial and George is mentioned as one of the family and it says that he was
a member of ARIBA which I believe is Associate of Royal Institute British Architects. That
is all the information I have also I have no other artefacts, letters or photograph, s of
George.
There were nieces and nephews of George but
whether they are alive or dead I have no idea. If I get any more information I will get in
touch.
Best wishes Stephen
Hall
24th Jan 2007
