4th July 1941
ANOTHER PONTEFRACT RECORD

Family records of service with the Forces have been published in The Express from time to time recently. This week there are details of another. Mrs Kate Gundill, of 1 Micklegate, Ponterfract, sent all her four sons to the last war, and now she has twelve grandsons serving.

Mrs Gundill has 11 children, 45 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Her sons were Driver Richard Gundill, now aged 57, and living at Hillam Hall; Pte Charles Gundhill, now aged 62 and living at Fitzwilliam; Stoker Harry Gundhill who died in 1933; and Pte Arthur Gundhill who died last year. All their sons are now with the colours, as well as all her daughter’s sons of military age. They are serving in all corners of the world; one in Syria, another in America, one in Malta, another in Scotland, and one in Canada, both in the Army and the Navy. Despite her admiration for the Royal Air Force, Mrs Gundhill prefers her grandchildren to be either on the earth or on the sea.

Charlie's two sons John and Charlie,jnr., are serving with the Army. The former as a dispatch rider and the latter with the Royal Engineers. Richard's son, Eric, is in a Scottish Regiment. Arthur had three sons; Ernest is a stoker in the Royal Navy, at present in Philidelphia. Dick is in the Yorkshire Dragoons; and "Chick", who emigrated to Canada 12 years ago, joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Of her daughter’s sons, Leading Stoker James Callan and Stoker Joseph Callan emulated their Uncle Harry and joined the Navy. Joseph was aboard H.M.S. Prince of Wales during the historic meeting between Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt in mid-atlantic, and described it as the most impressive sight he had ever seen. He was very lucky to receive a parcel from the President which contained several hundred cigarettes in addition to cheese and other delicacies. Driver Arthur Taylor is with the Royal Army Service Corps; Sergeant Harry Gundhill is stationed in Malta; Pte Charles Woodward with a Scottish Regiment; and Gunner Sam Guy, a grandson by marriage, with the Royal Artillery. Mrs Gundhill does a great deal of knitting for her boys in the Forces in spite of her 83 years of age, and declares that she would serve herself if the "80"s were called up.

1941 INDEX