Albert Cecil Thornalley

Cecil recalled his recruitment in the Lincolnshire Echo in 1997; "A gentleman called Captain Hamilton-Hill came around and talked to my brother. About a week later I asked him what it was all about and he said he couldn't tell me, it was secret but they were looking for recruits. He asked me if I'd come in. I said if there is something I can do to keep the Germans out yes I will.....They gave us three weeks to live in the event of invasion but you didn't think about the dangers when you are that age....We didn't think it was brave. It was just what we had to do".

Cecil features a lot in Mark Sansom's book on the Lincolnshire Aux Units. Cecil enjoyed driving and walking around Lincolnshire hunting for OBs with the late Eddie Welberry and Mark Sansom. There was one OB that had become part of a large badger sett that Cecil simply dare not go in!  So much for the Auxilier's courage and a farmer's way with animals!

Cecil recalled he had a Knobkerry (a club) which he would have used to cosh enemy guards.

In later life Cecil and Lucy lived in Woodhall Spa, almost directly opposite to the Woodhall Spa Golf Club where Tony Jacklin first made his name. Cecil had been in the nursing home next door to home for some years as his legs refused to work, and so Lucy was able to visit him regularly.  But before this Cecil usually spent part of his day playing snooker in the Conservative Club with a beer not far away.

He was finally awarded the Defence Medal in the late 1990's.

There was at one time a large family tree on display in Lincoln County Archives, that shows Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Cecil - all distantly related.