Find me a picture of my Major-General

[Windsor87]

Rootschatters,
Given that many of you have kindly helped me solve many problems regarding my geneaological hobby, I thought you may wish to help me with another of my hobbies.

I have a very small collection of Orders of the Knighthood, imparticular the Order of the Britsih Empire.
A year or two ago I bought the jewel in the crown - a KBE (insignia of the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Basically, it makes you a Sir.

The medal itself belongs to a man called Major-General Sir Claude Francis Liardet. It was awarded in 1944 by King George VI. I know this because I have the letter with the insignia inviting him to the investiture.

Anyway, I became curious as to who this man was. Turns out that he was quite senior in the RAF during World War Two. I have been looking for a picture of the man himself, but have failed to find one anywhere. Then I thought of rootschatters. 

Given that this man was a rather senior figure in the RAF I thought he must have gotten quite alot of mention in the papers during the war. I was hoping that those of you who have access to digital archives may be kind enough to check him out for me?

I know that he died on 5th March 1966 aged 84.

Any help would be appreciated.

regards
Windsor87

[stockman fred]

Hi, the Major General seems to have been involved with airfield defence, and the setting up of the RAF Regiment.
I had a look in the archive of Flight Magazine and he features in an article for Jan 15th, 1942 and his picture is in the edition of Sept 23rd, 1943.
The search page is at:
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/index.html
If you enter "Liardet" in the search box, the various refs should come up. (Sorry I can't do short links yet ) The "magazine archive" is the one to look at.
Fred

[PrueM]

There are a couple of pics of him in The Times, too:

Friday, Jan 09, 1942; pg. 6; Issue 49129; col B (little portrait)

Saturday, Jul 15, 1967; pg. 1; Issue 56994; col E (pic of him with the Queen) - says Major General Liardet, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Tank Regiment, so not sure if this is the same man, especially as you say he died in 1966 

[liverpool annie]

Well apparently there are 4 photos of him at the National Portrait Gallery  .... but no web photos !! 

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?search=ss&sText=liardet&LinkID=mp79162

Found this though !! ... you might just find an army photo !!

LIARDET, Sir Claude Francis (1881-1966), Major General

Joined Lancashire Artillery 1899; transferred to Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery 1905; World War I 1914-1918; Commander, Lancashire and Cheshire Coast Bde, Royal Artillery 1919; Commander, 106 Lancashire Yeomanry Bde, Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Army 1923; Commander, 64 (7 London) Field Bde, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army 1925; Commander Royal Artillery, 47 Div, and London Div 1934-1938; Commander, 1 London Div 1938-1941; World War II 1939-1945; Inspector Gen, Aerodrome Defence 1941-1942; Director General, Ground Defence, Air Ministry and Commandant RAF Regt 1942-1945

Annie 

PS Hi Prue ... you might have found his son !!

[PrueM]

Hi Annie, thought it must have been his son - surely there weren't two unrelated Major-General Liardets about!
 

[Windsor87]

Thank you all for your help!
It is nice to finally see who's medal it is in my collection. I have printed off a small photo that will fit in the insignia box with the medal.

Major-General Sir C. F. Liardet did have a son who also did not too badly in the army.

The fact that I now own his insignia suggests that the more recent descendants of Claude did not share the success of his son.

[Winedr]

Dear Winsor 87,
I have found last night your enquiries about Major General Sir Claude Liardet, dating back to...2008 !
Well, I happen to be his grandson !! I am his daughter Dorothy Mary's second son. And of course I was thrilled to hear that (how ?) you found my grandfather's medal ! For your information, his first son (my uncle, of whom I was very close) also became a Major General, Henry Maughan "Bill" Liardet, who commanded the Royal Tank Regiment. He passed away in 1996. He had three sons, my cousins, of which the eldest, now retired, is Rear Admiral Guy Frances Liardet. You can hence see that the family didn't do too badly !
I realize that you are a collector, but how would it be possible to recover my grandfather's medal ? You probably understand what it means to me and my family ! Should you need more information, you can join me at my surname, Winedr ! I live abroad and still have quite some family in England.
Looking forward to hearing from you, I send you my best regards !
Winedr
 

[jettejjane]

Reading replies with interest.  Dad (another Bill)   knew  "Bill"  Liardet very well, he lived just outside Arundel.  Having to dredge the old memory banks maybe Burpham or Warningcamp, think he may have been  on the Council with Dad but maybe not. 

Small world!

[dawnsh]

Hi Winedr

Welcome to Rootschat 

Windsor87 hasn't been online here since 2014 but as long as his email address hasn't changed, should receive a notification that you have posted and hopefully come back soon.

If not, increase your post count to 3 and then send a personal message which should act as another prompt to return.

http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php

Dawn