William Bambury
British Army 2nd Btn. Coldstream Guards
from:Staffordshire
My father, William Bambury, was a Coldstream Guardsman in 2nd battalion, 4th company (I think). While in North Africa 1942 - 45, he was selected to be the Soldier Servant of Major General David Toler.( his previous Servant having been wounded. A selection, I think, which may have changed the direction of the rest of his life. Whilst the Major General was on leave or up front, my father looked after his dog (company mascot)- a Maltese terrier called Sludge. A mascot, so the story goes, very well known.
After leaving the Army, my father kept in touch with David Toler via letters and Christmas cards etc. On my birth, apparently my parents received some bed socks from David Toler's mother in Scotland which were far too big - even for my father to wear. Shortbread and other gifts were received on a regular basis. And, on one occasion I remember, I was about 15, Major General Toler was inspecting troops at Leek Army barracks, and my father and I went to meet him. At that time, possibly the most important person I had ever met - a man who made a big impression on me! As a family, we were also invited to his home in Grantham, Lincs to meet him and his wife, Judith. A visit which has stayed in my memory since that time. Dad and the Major kept up regular communications, until 1990 when Dad died. I received a lovely letter from him, outlining their army times together, and some very special comments about my dad - how steadfast and dependable he was during very tense and testing times. A letter I have to this day. During some family research, I read that Major David Toler's son, Hugh, followed in his father's footsteps. I was also saddened to read of David Toler's death in November 2009. In his obituary, I was interested to read that he was born at Holmes Chapel, Cheshire - (ironically) not too far away from where my father was born and lived for all of his life.
