A RIDING crop belonging to a war hero has been returned to his family.
An emotional reunion took place when the item was handed to Rosamond, the daughter of Lt Ralph Alexander Maltby. The glider pilot was killed as he flew towards Arnhem, in Holland, in 1944. Recently, Barnard Castle resident Astley Fenwick came across his riding crop among some golf clubs and set about trying to track the rightful owner down. After an extensive search, Mr Fenwick and wife Miriam went to visit Rosamond at her home in Kent to hand the riding crop over. Mr Fenwick said: “Until the Mercury published the article she was totally unaware of its existence, but she knew a lot of information regarding his military career and how he came to grief at Arnhem.
Both she and her husband have visited Ralph’s grave in Holland, especially for the 50th and 70th anniversaries of the conflict and met with a few of the locals who were extremely grateful to all who gave their lives to provide their freedom. Indeed, Rosamond and her husband are still in contact with a local couple and remain friends. Rosamond was delighted to receive the riding crop and wishes to thank all those involved in returning the crop to the family, and in particular to Dr Gillian Hunt for providing so much information regarding the family tree and past relatives.”
She has also thanked the Teesdale Mercury for publishing the original story which led to a number of people coming forward with information. “She, can’t provide an answer to how the crop ended up inside the golf bag and didn’t know if her father played golf. It will, I fear, ever remain a mystery,” said Mr Fenwick.
