Overdue medal: A Bath resident who helped protect the Suez Canal when he served in the Royal Artillery in the 1950s has finally received his medal and a formal apology for the delay from the Ministry of Defence reports Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Adult Social Care and Health Department.
Alfred Prideaux (94) who lives at Avondown House in Bath was called to serve two years in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, followed by three years in the Royal Artillery reserve force and in 1951 was posted to Egypt as part of the garrison protecting the Suez Canal.
The posting was not easy for Alf, who lost comrades to enemy action, yet his strong leadership was recognised and within a year he was promoted to Corporal, a distinction that usually takes five years.
Alf’s son, Steven, who works for the MoD, investigated why his father had never received his medals and discovered that he had accidentally been overlooked.
In January Alf was awarded his medals and given a formal apology by Steven on behalf of the Secretary of State at his home witnessed by Alf’s family, friends, neighbours and carers.
Alf shared how when he went to Egypt it took ten days to arrive, and that he did not expect to spend so long there. He said, “I got sent to Egypt, one of my brothers went to India and my younger brother went to the Isle of Wight!”
He said he was incredibly proud to receive his recognition and added: “I thoroughly enjoyed receiving my medals, it was about time! Better late than never!”
Claire Nolan, Extra Care Manager at Avondown House, said: “It was truly extraordinary to be able to witness and participate in such a tremendous event. Alf’s service to his country is admirable, and I am so happy that he finally received the official recognition that was his due. I thank his son and daughter in law for the opportunity for all of us here at Avondown House to be a part of such a special celebration.”
Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “This is a fitting and long overdue tribute to Alf’s bravery and sacrifice for our nation. More than seven decades may have passed, but heroes like Alf remain as inspiring as ever.”
Image from the National Army Museum.
The museum noted: The Suez Canal was an economically and strategically vital route for both Middle Eastern oil and trade with the Far East. Britain maintained a military presence in Egypt to protect the canal under the terms of a treaty signed in 1936. However, Egyptian nationalists resented the British presence in their country. As early as 1945, riots had broken out and the first British soldier was killed there. Withdrawing from the cities, British forces concentrated in the area immediately adjacent to the canal, known as ‘the Canal Zone’. Then, in October 1951, the Egyptian government increased pressure on the British and repealed the 1936 treaty. In 1956 the Egyptian Government nationalised the canal leading to the Suez Crisis and a short war after which Britain withdrew from the canal.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice
To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Shaun on 07540 383870 or email him on sales@bathvoice.co.uk
Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk Mobile: 07789 864769