Description:Thomas Alder was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire on 28th January 1920. He joined the Royal Artillery on 11th July 1938 and was posted to 213 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery. He was billeted in St. Michael’s Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme where he met his future wife Thelma Mayer. He did overseas service in the Middle East and British North Africa Force, where he took place in The Battle of El Alamein and Battle of Salerno. On the 27th July 1944, Thomas was one of the soldiers chosen to form a guard of honour for His Majesty King George VI. He also met Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery who the soldiers knew as ‘Monty’. After the war Thomas and his wife moved to Blackpool, Lancashire where the had six children. He and his family later moved to Newcastle-under-Lyme. When Thomas died on 26th March 2002 he was given a memorable funeral. There were Standard bearers waiting at the church and a soldier also from WWII played The Last Post. Thomas was awarded The 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and The Efficiency Medal (Territorial).