M. B. E. for Conisbrough Surveyor’s Son (picture)

December 1945

South Yorkshire Times December 22nd 1945

For services in Italy
M. B. E. for Conisbrough Surveyor’s Son

Img_0736 thirlwall

The award of the M. B. E. has been announced to Major (temp.) Charles Geoffrey Thirlwall (30), R. E., for services in Italy. The younger son of Mr. Harry Thirlwall, engineer and surveyor to Conisbrough Urban Council, and Mrs. Thirlwall of Melton Villa, Conisbrough, he was before the war on the staff of the Borough Engineer at Rotherham.

Although his substantive rank is that of captain, and at the time the award was made he was temporary major, Mr. Thirlwall has since been appointed in command of the 13th Corps troops, Royal Engineers, Northern Italy, with the acting rank of Lt Col. His unit is carrying out the reconstruction of bridges and roads damaged end destroyed in the war. He is expected home on class B release at the end of the month and will resume his duties at Rotherham shortly.

Obtaining, like his brother, Mr Ronald Eric Thirlwall (now an engineer in Calcutta), a technological scholarship at Mexborough secondary school, he proceeded to Sheffield University, where he graduated Bachelor of Civil Engineering with honours. He is an associate member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and of the Institution of Municipal and Civil Engineers, and an Associate of the Institution of Structural Engineers.

In December. 1939, he left his post at Rotherham to join the R. E., and was commissioned in September, 1940, being detached for some time to the 9th Corps Troops, Northern command, when he went to North Africa in March, 1942. He was engaged in reconnoitring for the new roads that were constructed in preparation for our advance from North Africa to Tunisia. He was in the landings in Sicily and at Taranto with the English army, being involved in the famous “switch” of the eighth and fifth armies. He gained a mention in dispatches in September, 1944, for distinguished service.

Lieutenant-Colonel Thirwall married just before joining the forces, and his wife and son live at Mirfield. A keen proficient golfer with a handicap down of seven. He is a member of Thrybergh golf club.