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Having spent months looking at my father's side of the family, I thought it would be only fair to spend some time looking at my mother's side this week.
My mother adored her father, Captain George Shepherd, a World War One hero and blacksmith in the Town of Mitcham, England.
Fred and George Shepherd in their blacksmith shop
2nd Lt. (A/Capt) George Shepherd (1892-1953) originally served in the West Surrey Regiment as a Sergeant before taking a commission in the 2/10th Middlesex, as a 2nd Lieut and later Acting Captain.
My Grandfather walking my mother to church on the day of her wedding
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star (Mons Star) and the British and Victory medals together with the Military Cross. He was commissioned on 28.9.1915 serving in the Gallipoli Campaign.Captain Shepherd was wounded in the legs in Gaza in 1917 where he won the Military Cross. His citation reads:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the left flank of his battalion was exposed, he pushed forward with three men and covered it for half an hour without assistance, under a cross fire from machine guns, setting a very fine example to his company. Dated, near Gaza, 26th and 27th March 1917."
My Grandfather's Wedding photo
After the war he worked with his father, George Sr., in his Cart, Caravan and General Smith business, taking the business over when George Sr. retired. Captain Shepherd, as he continued to be known, then employed his younger brother Fred to help with the business.
He married Rosanna Staines and raised three children, Rosanna, Eileen and Edward (Ted) Shepherd.
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