Harold Ridsdale: War hero and Football star.

On our sunday walkabout recently we called on Mr and Mrs Ridsdale to deal with a council issue. We noticed a photo of General Montgomery presenting a medal to a dashing young soldier. The soldier was Harold Ridsdale and he was recieving the Military Medal from Monty for bravery in one of the most dangerous and desperate periods of the second world war. Gunner Ridsdale was a radio operator during the D-Day landings in 1944. Those who have seen the film "Saving Private Ryan" will understand the extreme danger faced by these brave men.

Harold Ridsdale was an exception even to these courageous soldiers. He was a Wireless operator working at the front line in the most dangerous and advanced position of the battle. He also captured German soldiers on his own intitiative and under enemy fire helped stretcher bearers to save wounded comrades whilst bullets and mortars exploded all around.

In December 1944 he was awarded the Military Medal by General Montgomery. The following article appeared in a local newspaper whilst he was the star winger for Lovell's Athletic.

Dear Mum, They’ve awarded me the Military Medal – don’t forget to send the sports final!

That was the cryptic message with which Harold Ridsdale summed up the slice of British gallantry which earned him the Military Medal at the close of the second world war.

Harold Ridsdale. Lovell’s five foot and a bit hero, has not changed since those days  -- those days when “Gunner Ridsdale  . . . displayed great courage.

Father of three

Today, Harold Ridsdale, father of three, works with the company and he’s already forgotten what Field Marshall Montgomery told him when he pinned the Military Medal in his tunic.

In fact Harold won more fame in South Wales and at Rexville (Lovells factory in Newport) than as a war hero.

Now, for the many who never knew the story, we print an extract from the citation which went with the Military Medal that he won in North West Europe.

Heavy Fire

“since 1st November 1944 Gunner Ridsdale was continuously a member of an observation party and displayed great courage. During the attack on Sevenum (Holland) on 2nd November 1944, Ridsdale went with the forward observation officer on foot carrying a portable transmitter. He walked with the leading infantry though exceptionally heavy fire for a distance of 1,000 yards and took seven prisoner himself. On another occasion at Meijel (Holland) also in November he went across open country under heavy fire to keep in touch with the forward observer by means of a Lucas Lamp.

The company suffered very heavy casualties and Gunner Ridsdale, cheerful throughout, not only performed his own duties but assisted the stretcher bearers to collect the wounded, under fire with total disregard to personal safety.

His devotion to duty was an inspiration to his party and contributed materially to the success of the operation.”

Ask Harold to explain his actions and he replies? “Well those prisoners were as scared of me as I was of them. And the wounded? Well you couldn’t leave them there could you?”

Harold obviously packed all the excitement he wanted from life into those dangerous days in North West Europe.

Football Hero

Back in civvy street Harold became an accomplished football player with Swansea Town, Haverford West and finally the brilliant Lovells Athletic of the 1940s and 50s.

The following extracts are from newspapers covering his progress.

Ridsdale Leaves Haverfordwest

Harold Ridsdale played his 69th and last game on the left wing for Haverfordwest on Saturday and marked the occasion by scoring one goal, making two and missing a couple more! A married man, he has experienced some difficulty in finding accommodation in the County Town and although the Club were able to offer him rooms he decided to throw in his lot with Lovells. The Toffee men have been interested in the diminutive winger as a result of reports in the “Guardian” about his accommodation difficulties and he got into communication with the club.

He is wanted for the Southern League Eleven, has accepted a job and accommodation and has thanked Haverfordwest for his release.

The departure of the ex Swan will be a real blow to the blues for Ridsdale has not missed a game on the left wing since his first appearance for the Club against Cardiff City on the Bridge Meadow on September 4th 1948. He signalled his debut by scoring his side’s two goals in a game that ended in a draw and coincidentally he appears in the score sheet in his first and last game locally! Last season he played in all 38 League Games and six cup matches and netted 21 goals, all except one of them them in League clashes. This winter he has made all 20 league appearances and he also played in the five cup games. He is the leading scorer to date with 14 league and thre and three cup games, his “bag” including the conversion of three penalty kick. “Pluck” is his middle name – in the war he won the Military Medal and on the football field he has plenty of dash and daring. Haverfordwest’s loss will be Lovells gain and by chance he will probably play again at the Bridge Meadow next Saturday – for his new Club against his old colleagues!

Before last Saturday’s game a tribute was paid over the loudspeakers to Ridsdale’s services to the Club and good wishes were extended him for the future.

Harold Joins Lovells Athletic at Newport
Harold left Haverfordwest to play on the left wing for Lovells Athletic. During this period they were one of the top southern league football teams. Another brilliant team member and fellow malpas resident was Idwal Robling later the brilliant welsh radio and TV sporting commentator. Harold was a star of the team scoring dozens of goals and creating goal for his colleagues with his accurate passing and speed. He played against Tottenham Hotspurs in 1950(see programme).

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