Tributes paid to D-Day veteran
EX-COUNCIL CHIEF ‘HELD IN HIGHEST REGARD’
MOVING tributes have been paid to one of the last remaining D-Day veterans who went on to be a council chief.
William “Stan” Thornalley served with the council in Grimsby for 45 years.
He was also a renowned after-dinner speaker, joining the World Cup winning England captain Bobby Moore on one occasion in Grimsby. Stan, died aged 98 at Ashlea Court Care Home, in Waltham, just a few weeks short of his 99th birthday.
Daughter Heather Davies said her father rejoined the borough council after starting aged 15 years as a tea boy and rose to become a muchrespected director of works for the council.
He joined the Army Territorials on January 5, 1939, aged 17 years and he was was posted to the Royal Army Service Corps with the 46th Lincolnshire Regiment as a Dispatch Rider, serving on D-Day.
He served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
After the war he returned to Grimsby and resumed his job in the Borough Engineers Department. In 1949 he was promoted to senior clerk and became Chief Clerk in 1956 going on to become Assistant Borough Engineer.
In 1969 the Works Department was formed and he took over as Director of Works in 1973.
He was also a qualified accountant, studying each night after work and becoming fully qualified as an accountant in 1952.
Town Clerk and Chief Executive,
Freddie Ward who is immortalised in Frederick Ward Way, wrote a moving letter to Stan on his retirement.
He said: “I know that the council holds you in the highest regard and affection and there is widespread recognition of the dedication and sense of vocation which you have always shown throghout you your service with the council.”
He was very proud to be invited, along with Dorothy to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with Councillor Peter Willing and his wife.
After his retirement he took up after-dinner speaking attending events with sporting greats like Bobby Moore, Harvey Smith and Richard Pitman.
Heather said: “Dad made a wonderful speaker as it suited his huge
personality, his larger-than-life character and above all his wonderful sense of humour.”
Stan was married to Dorothy for over 70 years and was always very sad following her death at 93 years in 2016.
Heather said: “He was a fair, honest, good man. One of his granddaughters said she looked upon him as the head of the family and that really summed him up.
“He was very much a family man whose life revolved around his job with the Grimsby Borough Council and his family.
“He loved his garden and took a great deal of pride in his immaculate
lawn and flower beds which were often commented upon by passersby.”
Stan was a season ticket holder at Grimsby Town where he attended with his son Graham and grandson Ian.
Both Stan and Dorothy were also accomplished ballroom dancers attending the Jack Braithwaite School of Dance.
Stan Thornalley is survived by two children, Heather and Graham, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandchild. A funeral service was held last month.