Major Edward George Hugh POWER Croix de Guerre
2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

Date of birth: 23rd July 1887
Date of death: 24th December 1981

Died aged 94
Unknown
Edward George Hugh Power was born at 27, Penywern Road, South Kensington in London on the 23rd of July 1887 the eldest son of Edward John Power, a grain merchant, and Harriett Maud (nee Windeler) Power of 8 Gledhow Gardens in Kensington. He was christened at St Stephen's Church, Kensington on the 25th of August 1887.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1901 where he was a member of the 2nd Football XI in 1898 and a member of the Choir. He was a member of the Football XI in 1899 and 1900. The school magazine wrote the following of his 1899 season: - "Full back. A very sturdy and useful performer, but has much to learn in the art of placing the ball and of shielding his goalkeeper."

They wrote of his 1900 football season: - " Back. has vastly improved his kicking powers, and is always conspicuous in defence. His lack of speed is the more apparent because the two backs fail to act on a concerted plan. His tackling too is somewhat faulty, and he is apt to "lose his head" in a crisis."

He was a member of the Cricket XI in 1900 and 1900 when the magazine wrote of his 1900 season: - "A fairly useful figure in the field. His batting was well meant but not successful."

Of his 1901 cricket season they wrote: - "Only played two innings, and has improved in his fielding."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote of him: - "...goes to Rugby. He has been an excellent football player, and useful cricketer, a fine singer, and a very fair actor."

He went on to Rugby School where he was in Mr. Whitelaw's House from September 1901 to December 1905. He attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst from 1906 to 1908 after which he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Regiment on the 22nd of February 1908. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion of his Regiment and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 15th of March 1911.

He was married to Marion (nee Hamilton-Benn) on the 5th of April 1913 at St Peter's Church, Cranley Gardens; his brother Arthur Power was best man and the vicar presiding was an Old Hazelwood boy, the Reverend Roderick Birt, Chaplain of Radley College.

Following the outbreak of war he embarked with his battalion at Southampton on the 18th of December 1914 and landed in France at Le Havre the following day. On the 1st of January 1917 he was promoted to Brevet Major "For distinguished service in the field." He was mentioned in despatches for his work in Salonika and on two other occasions and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He served in India in 1920 and retired from the army later that year.

During the Second World War he served as the Area ARP Officer for Norfolk County Council.

He died at Wayland Hospital, Attleborough in Norfolk.

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