Sgt Bill Tierney MM - Post War Years

**ap1** · 02-02-2008, 15:11

Thanks to Chris,

What a great collection of medals. Chris mentioned to me that they have been kept in a box for 50 odd years, and he has no idea of their value. I'm sure Richard Ward will point you in the right direction, regarding insurance etc, Chris emphasised he would never sell them, but they do need to be looked after. Looking at them Chris I would suggest they need to be correctly court mounted. That may cost a little, and may need to be completed in the UK It will ensure they remain in good condition, and reduce scratches etc, again Richard will probably advise.

Did he serve in Malaya? if so the group may not be complete. Can Don advise?

**jungle1810** · 02-02-2008, 16:06

Hello Al,
I have forwarded the e mail with the medals to Richard. I hope he can help Chris in this matter. Bill (Gene) Tierney;s M.M. was won whilst he was serving with the Cheshires. I do not knowq when he was posted to the RWF He served with the RWF in Germany after the war. And then went on to serve in Jamaica. When I dis embarked in Jamaica I was 18 years and about 45 days old.If Bill was alive today and I do not know if he is for certain. If he was an 18 year old when he joined possibly in 1939 that would make his birth date in or about 1921, so he would be about 86 to 88 at least if he is alive today.the skyways photo must be one of the first air troopers to arrive in Jamaica after the accident that killed all aboard the first plane. But I doubt very much if it was the one that went down off Newfoundland, as you will appreciate when the plane landed in Jamaica the new arrivals would be met by representatives of the first batttalion and ferried back to Up Park Camp the plane that went down had a lot of trouble during this flight. It had to have an inspection and work done on it at least twice most probably in Iceland. I did have all the info on this plane and a report but I started packing to move house and this item is packed.I have hit a glitch on my move more on this later. I know that one Fusilier who was supposed to board this plane was talking to a mate and they agreed to swap places such is the quirk of fate.
Regards Don

**jungle1810** · 02-02-2008, 16:08

Hello Al
"Gene " Tierney definately did not serve in Malaya.
Regards Don

**jungle1810** · 02-02-2008, 20:27

Hello Al,
I just phoned Len Watts who was a Sjt in Jamaica for news of Tierney. Len ststes he married an Americam lady whilst he was in Belize.Len also married an Honduran lady.To the best of Len's knowledge Tierney served with the first in Germany and went to Jamaica with the first.Len reckons that Bill left the army when we had the presentation of new colours by the Queen in July 1954. It is believed Bill was either a taxi driver or had his own taxi service in Swindon Not much more is known about Bill's where abouts from then on. I did hear a whisper that he was seen in the Swansea (Sketty) area in or about 1960
More news if I hear any thing new.
RBD.

cwt1382 · 03-02-2008, 19:28

Thank you for this information! Unfortunately, I emailed someone a few years back and 1960 was the last date I found out he had been seen. Are you saying his real name is Gene Tierney? My father's name is William Alfred Tierney and his mother used to tell him that he was named after his father. We always assumed my grandfather's name was William Alfred as well.

Chris

**ap1** · 03-02-2008, 19:32

The chances are that Bill has probably passed on.

However Chris, would like to find any Tierney family members within the UK. Chris's grandmother and Bill Tierney split and she returned to the US with their son(Chris's dad), and they never had any contact with each other after 1956.

Interestingly I found this, perhaps a deceased ancestor of Bill ?

http://www.stockport1914-1918.co.uk/...p?name_id=2518

**ap1** · 03-02-2008, 19:48

Chris,
If we assume that we assume he has already died. It may be possible to locate other family members within the UK by tracing his death certificate. That may be accomplished if we have his birth date?. Is there any info within the family?

OR.....apply for his service record. this will tell you where he was from, and open up other family members to trace

cwt1382 · 03-02-2008, 20:29

Mr. Donovan had mentioned Bill (Gene) Tierney. Was Gene my grandfather's middle name, first name, or nickname? I am familiar with the actress Gene Tierney, so I did not know if this a gag nickname or part of his real name?

The info on my father's birth certificate will be the only info I will have on my grandfather. I will begin to look into the necessary forms I need to fill out to obtain information on his service record, death certificate, etc.

The link you posted about William Tierney in the Great War is interesting. I saw that while searching on Google and thought it may be a relative.

I would assume it is unlikely that he had anymore children after my father, but if so, I would be interested in knowing. I have discovered it is an uphill battle to find information past 1960, but the information I have found through this website has been very helpful. I will keep you posted.

Thank you,
Chris

**jungle1810** · 03-02-2008, 23:54

Hello Chris,
I did not mean to be facetious in regard to Bill by putting in his nick name which was "Gene" as you so rightly observed it was a nick name from the film star you mentioned.If he did lie about his age at what ever date, and for what ever reason it would be difficult to envisage how old he would be today. My guess was based on a date picked out of the sky 1939 the year the second world war started???So it would mean a theoretical date of birth around about 1921 deduct this from 2008 leaves you with a possible age of 87 in 2008. But this is not an Einstein theory it is full of holes but just a piece of logic no more.

Regards Don

cwt1382 · 04-02-2008, 00:47

Don,

No problem! I know how nicknames go (my friends call me Squinty...I have my grandfather's eyes and squint when I smile!) I looked at my dad's birth certificate and verified that his name is also William Alfred Tierney. My grandmother died at 84 in 2000. I know my grandfather was younger than her, but not by much. I would assume that he would be in his late 80's if he were still alive, which I doubt. I will begin looking into death records as well as his service record. Thank you for your information. It has been a tremendous help.

Chris