GANDER A J

From Hoole History and Heritage Society

GANDER, Alfred John

Regiment: Cheshire Yeomanry Royal Armoured Corps

Rank: Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant

Died: 16 September 1941

Aged: 42

Buried/ Memorial: Durban Stellawood, South Africa

Address: 25 Park Drive, Hoole


Cheshire Observer 27 September 1941

Official notification has been received that Squadron Quarter Master sergeant Alfred John Gander (42) Cheshire Yeomanry, husband of Mrs Ada Gander, of 25 Park Drive, Hoole, has died as a result of an accident, in the Middle East. His death occurred in September.

S.Q.M.S. Gander was a native of Chester, and after being educated at the College School, became employed by the North Wales Wagon Company, at Queensferry. As a meber of the Cheshire Yeomanry, he was called up at the outbreak of hostilitiesS.Q.M.S. Gander served in France in the last War. He is survived by his wife, mother Mrs J Gander 13 Park Drive Chester and four brothers, all of whom are serving in the Forces. A memorial service will be held a 5pm today (Saturday) at St John’s Church.


An earlier article on the five brothers:

Cheshire Observer 13 April 1940

Five GANDER brothers

Mrs Gander, of 13 Park Drive, Hoole, has the proud distinction of having five of her sons in the Army, four of them serving with the Cheshire Yeomanry.

This photograph taken before they attained their present rank, shows

(Top row, left to right): Sgt Frank Gardner; Cpl Dennis Gardner (Royal Horse Guards) [N.B. he had previously served with the Cheshire Yeomanry and was to go on to join the Commandos]; Staff-Sgt Lionel Gander

(Bottom row): Regimental QMS George Gander; Squadron QMS Alfred Gander.

The Cheshire (Earl of Chester’s) Yeomanry’ by Lt Col Verdin

Mrs Gander is extremely proud of these five boys of her family of ten, who are serving their King and country so faithfully. Moreover, her son-in-law, Private John Tomlinson, also is in the Cheshire Yeomanry, while her daughter Eva, is section leader of Cheshire 12th Division of the British Red Cross, and she herself has been awarded her ARP badge and first nursing certificate by the St John Ambulance Brigade.”


Further details of the brothers are contained in ‘The Cheshire (Earl of Chester’s) Yeomanry’ by Lt Col Verdin.