All Congleton turned out to give a “wildly enthusiastic” welcome to Sgt (“Killer”) George Harold Eardley, VC, MM, on his return to his native borough, we reported 80 years ago.
We said there were “memorable scenes” as the “gallant soldier”, wearing battle dress, and standing by his wife in an American command car, rode triumphantly through streets lined with cheering crowds to his home in Lion Street.
Earlier in the afternoon, his wife and three children, his father and mother (Mr and Mrs JH Eardley), and other members of his family, escorted by the Mayor, Coun JT Haworth and the town clerk, had met him as he stepped from a train at Crewe station, the party afterwards travelling by road to Congleton, Sgt Eardley and his family heading the convoy in a be-ribboned car, placarded front and back with the words “Welcome to Congleton’s VC”.
Enthusiastic cheers went up from a “vast crowd” assembled at West Heath near the Waggon and Horses as soon as the party hove in sight.
As his car came to a halt, Sgt Eardley was immediately surrounded and besieged by a surging crowd, which included a band and members of the local Army Cadet Force, led by Capt LC Creed. A detachment of the local Home Guard, under Maj GS Charlton, and the band and members of the local ATC, under Flying Officer MH Kellett, also attended.
Then came a large contingent of American troops, led by their officers and a colour party carrying their own regimental colours and the flags of the Allies.
Children waved flags and hundreds of mill girls, who had been granted time off from work, were seen among the crowds.
Lion Street was the best decorated street of all, the canopy of flags and streamers across the street being so thick that, as someone observed, people could scarcely see the sky.
Doors and windows were also festooned with flags and bunting, the hero’s home having received especially generous treatment in this respect, while on the door, in coloured ribbon were the initials “VC”.
“Excited and jubilant” onlookers packed the street from end to end as Sgt Eardley’s car drew up before his home. Neighbours at every window and door demonstrated their welcome, and Sgt Eardley greeted many of them by name. Amid rousing cheers, he helped his wife and family down from the car, stood for some moments hand-shaking and acknowledging the great ovation, and then passed into his home.
A few moments later, in response to insistent calls from the crowd, Sgt Eardley appeared with his wife at the bedroom window. Signalling for quiet, he said: “That is more like the old town — quiet and peaceful. Thank you, everybody! I will see you all tonight.”
He later appeared before a microphone placed on the footpath near the door of his home, and spoke to the crowd, again thanking them for the reception and saying that he had “tried to avoid all this”. He said that he had brought back with him messages for relatives from a number of men at the front hailing from Congleton and district and hoped to deliver these during the course of his month’s leave.
At the station
When the train bringing Sgt Eardley from London had drawn up at Crewe station he had made an attempt to evade the big crowd of people — among whom were a dozen or more Press photographers — who thronged the platform.
He was in a compartment at the front, and was carried past where the crowd was lined up before the train stopped. When about to make good this opportunity to escape, he was stopped and told his wife and children were waiting for him higher up the platform.
A moment later he and his wife were locked in an embrace. There were further touching scenes as he lifted up his three children in turn and kissed them, and when he also greeted his parents, we reported.
Cameras clicked and the cheering crowds surged round, as Sgt Eardley was afterwards greeted. Among the first to greet Sgt Eardley when he reached the outskirts of the borough were two ex-mayors, Aldermen F Dale and D Charlesworth, the latter a Grenadier Guard who broke a journey northwards and snatched a few hours’ leave in order to be present.
We reported: “Pictorial records of the stirring scenes witnessing to the whole-hearted manner in which Congleton welcomed her first VC will be seen by millions of people not only in this country but throughout the Empire and also in Allied countries.
“Both the Gaumont Graphic and the Pathe Gazette made sound film records of the great welcome scenes, which will be screened at picture houses throughout the land, and also at film shows held under the auspices of the ministry of information.”
The “Illustrated London News” sent down a special artist to paint Sgt Eardley’s portrait in oils. This was to be reproduced and issued in the form of a coloured supplement. The journal was also to reproduce a sketch depicting the battle scene in which Sgt Eardley won his VC.
Urging that the town council should give tangible expression of their appreciation of Sgt Eardley’s valour, Coun Newton had proposed that the grant to the mayor be increased by £50 so that this sum could be subscribed to the “Sgt Eardley VC Testimonial Fund.”
Coun Haworth: I will second that. I think something should be done. I shall have something more to say on this subject after.
Alderman Dale: I would like to see the amount subscribed by the council increased to £100.
Experiences
Sgt Eardley had been asked by the War Office to prepare a diary telling of his experiences from when he first landed in France up to his winning the VC and after.
Congleton Town Hall was packed for the great mass civic welcome meeting on Friday evening.
“I’m darned pleased to see so many old faces again,” said Sgt Eardley. responding to congratulatory speeches.
“The news that I had been awarded the VC”, he said, “came as a terrible shock to me. I was in the front line when word came through that I must listen in to the 9 o’clock news without fail. But the difficulty was getting a radio. Some of us went out to find one. The only one we could lay hold of was an abandoned German radio, which was out of order.
One of the chaps got the thing going again, and, as I have I said, I got the shock of my life when I heard of the award.
“I have read the citation, but can hardly believe it possible for any human being to carry out such feats. I feel highly honoured, but what makes me proudest of all is that, at last, Congleton is on the map, and further, that it is staying on the map.” (Applause).
“I am only sorry,” he went on, “that the honour is not for the Cheshire Regiment — my own county. But I am glad it is for a regiment as good as the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. I hope that each and every one in Congleton will share the honour 50—50 with me. It is ours as much as mine.”
The mayor voiced the feeling of all.
“Allow me,” he said, addressing Sgt Eardley by his Christian name, “on behalf of every citizen of this, our ancient borough, to express our very great pride and admiration for you.
We are thankful that you came through those exploits unhurt and we hope that before very long you will be restored permanently to your home and your family in an atmosphere, of world peace.” (Hear, hear and applause).
The audience rose as one to join heartily in the refrain when the town band struck up with the music of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”.
News of how Sgt Eardley won his VC was headlined on the front page of most of the national daily papers. His triumphant homecoming and reception in Congleton was also splashed in both morning and evening papers.
The “Shrewsbury Chronicle,” the Shropshire county weekly paper, also gave prominence to the news in recognition of the fact that Sgt Eardley was serving with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
A photograph showing Field Marshal Montgomery pinning the VC ribbon on Sgt Eardley was to be exhibited in the Red Cross Office, High Street, where a collection was to be made on behalf of the Red Cross.
Sgt Eardley put in a plea for the “front-line boys” when they came home.
“Give them a real, rousing welcome and keep it up,” he said.
“Give them the best of everything throughout their lives. They deserve it, because they are going through hell. So please do all you can for them when they come home. Prepare for it now. Many of them will come back looking for a home, but for God’s sake – give them something decent!” (Applause).
