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		© ALL IMAGES REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF MR TERENCE CARDWELL ©
		. 8520 Guardsman Jack (Joe) Introduction: ShinyCapstar was recently contacted by Terence Cardwell who is an avid viewer of the Website. Terence explained that he had a number of photographs of his father who served in the Coldstream Guards from 1909 to 1930 and asked if it would be possible to post them on ShinyCapstar for others to view. ShinyCapstar receives lots and lots of images that are placed on the ShinyGallery but the background and story behind these images is so very intriguing and truly 'Second to None' that they deserve to have a dedicated section on this website. My Father, Guardsman no 8520 Jack (Joe) by Terence Cardwell *hold your mouse over images for more information The photos and items below were only found three years ago and have not been seen since the 1920s. They were never in my Fathers possession! My Father was born in Deepcar and worked down the mines in the 4ft coal seams mining coal with his father Joseph and brother Thomas. Joseph supplemented his income by bare knuckle boxing and at one time was the bare knuckle heavy weight boxing champion of Sheffield. He died from a cerebral hemmorage caused by holding a pit prop up to prevent the mine collapsing whilst the miners escaped. Jack’s mother died shortly after and he was raised by his older sister until he escaped the mines to join the Coldstream Guards. He was in the 2nd battalion Coldstream Guards from 1909 to 1930
		© ALL IMAGES REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF MR TERENCE CARDWELL ©
		His battalion, the 2nd battalion, left Victoria Barracks at midnight the morning of the 12th August 1914 to join with the First and Third Battalions to lead the British Expeditionary Forces to WW1 in Mons, Belgium. They became known as the Old Contemptibles. He was at the battle of Mons and covered the rearguard action for the First Corp, known as The Retreat from Mons. He was blown up and bayoneted twice (whilst unconscious) during the retreat and survived to be incarcerated in the German P.O.W. camps- Sennerlager and Soltau. He returned home on Christmas day 1918 to his wife Elizabeth and daughter Grace who was born shortly after he left. During his career he won the British Army heavyweight boxing title for the Coldstream guards, putting to use his boxing skills gained from his father. He was also in the winning British Army Rifle Shooting Championships. In October 1926 he carried the wreath (see image above) along with another Coldstreamer for the dedication of the Guards Memorial in Horse Guards Parade. He went to China with the 2nd Battalion in 1927, returning in March 1928.
		© ALL IMAGES REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF MR TERENCE CARDWELL ©
		Jack’s wife, Annie, suffered from a weak heart and he finally had to resign from a company he loved and was deeply attached too in 1930, to look after his other love. In the Second World War he was too old for the Coldstream Guards and was put in the Pioneer Corp where he served in London and Coventry rescuing people and digging out bodies of bomb victims. His mother died shortly after and Jack was raised by his older sister till his escaped the mines to join the Coldstream Guards Jack gained his boxing skills from his father and went on to become the heavyweight boxing champion. My mother suffered from a weak heart and he was finally forced to resign from a company he loved and was deeply attached too in 1930.
		© ALL IMAGES REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF MR TERENCE CARDWELL ©
		Other fascinating images from this story (hold mouse over image for more information) THANK YOU! ShinyCapstar would like to thank Terry for contacting us and allowing others to view and read information of his Fathers fascinating story. Terry has also added chapters of his fascinating book to the site - see and read more here or by clicking the book.
		© ALL IMAGES REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF MR TERENCE CARDWELL ©
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