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CLASSIC DIVE
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Author - Cecil Albany Chard. |
DON'T FORGET THE DIVER
C.A. Chard Publisher: Chambers1958 From eBay: An attractive and interesting old book about the author's working life as a diver. He started in WW1 and is still working during WW2 so there are lots of old tales about learning to dive, dangerous dives, old boats and fish. A lot of his dives are off Falmouth and Cornwall. Some decent black and white photos. "Written by former mayor Arthur Chard of his exploits diving in the first and second world war around Falmouth and other locations in Cornwall." Photo acknowledge: MB PS comment: I have been advised by Mr Chard's grand-daughter than his
full name was Cecil Albany Chard. The 'Arthur Chard' mentioned above was
an
Further PS comment, April 2011: I've just received the following from
Toby
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SO, WHO DID WRITE THE BOOK?
It does not take anything away from Mr Chard, but it is curious to know. PT in England has done further research and adds the following interesting information. CA Chard actually did write the book but he states "To the Memory of D Compton-James who helped me write this book". Have a look at the history of the Mayor of Falmouth on this web site
It says that Cecil Albany Chard was mayor for 1935-36 but if you look at 1912 to 1917 there was a mayor called Arthur William, presumably CA Chard's father? I think we can say though that (great-great-nephew) Toby is right, Arthur didn't write the book - it was Cecil Albany. In "Don't Forget the Diver", the author states that he was born in 1887 in Falmouth. He says his father was a Trinity House pilot and he also says that he was a time served as a shipwright and worked in Devonport dockyard, near Plymouth. In the mid 1930's he was elected Mayor of Falmouth (Article in Wide World Magazine August 1953 - see below). UK Census 1891: Cecil A Chard aged 4 living in Falmouth with parents, brother and 2 sisters - father is a Trinity House pilot UK Census1901: Cecil A Chard aged 14 at same address in Falmouth as 1901 UK Census 1911: Cecil A Chard aged 24 boarding in Keyham near Devonport. Employed in the dockyard as a Shipwright. From the Falmouth council records, there have been two mayors with the
surname Chard:
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Link to PDF file for an excellent article by C.A.Chard in Wide World Magazine from August 1953. The article, named "V.G.I.' refers to the highest marking the Royal Navy gives to a graduate of the Admiralty Diving School. Guess who got one! |
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