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Memento For Ex-Claret

14 Dec 1970
Bowling Green Hotel, Clifton Street, Burnley

Memento For Ex-Claret

The president, Mr Ted Lawrenson, giving his best wishes to Harry Atherton, watched by Reg Kirkham, Pat Burnett, Gordon Bentley and Fred Blinkhorn.

A mounted and gilded half-penny made into a keyring was presented to Harry Atherton by Mr Ted Lawrenson, president of the Ex-Clarets Association at the Bowling Green Hotel on Monday, 14th December 1970, as a memento of his work as a member of the committee. This weekend he leaves to take a staff appointment at the Savoy Hotel, London. Mr. Gordon Bentley, association treasurer, said that Harry had been an enthusiastic worker in various money raising efforts since he had returned from the Army earlier in the year. He described Mr Atherton as a warrior and a wanderer and added that, even warriors came back to their home town and he would always find a welcome with the Ex-Clarets. Mr. Atherton said that he would retain happy memories of his associations with the Ex-Clarets and was hoping to be able to attend some of the functions they would be organising in the future. Mr Bentley presented a box of cigarettes and in handing over the key ring Mr Lawrenson said that it was one of a very few made in an exclusive design.

Harry Atherton joined Burnley during the war and after being demobilised from the Army played for the reserve and A teams. In 1952 he kept goal for Rossendale United and then moved to Nelson. He re-joined the Army in 1954 and served in Aden, Gibraltar and Malta with the Catering Corps in which he became SQMSM. At one time when attached to the Highland Light Infantry he was chef to Princess Margaret. He returned from Army service in Aden with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in March.

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