Reading Out Loud
Focused Elements:
You can have these explanations read out loud by clicking on 'Speak Explanation' (access key 'a')
These controls are to provide alternative means of accessing the information on this page. Two main facilities are provided: adjusting the text size and listening to the text on the page.
1) Adjusting Text Size:
You can increase the text size by clicking on 'Larger' (access key '+'), and reduce it by clicking on 'Smaller' (access key '-'). You can reset the size back to its original value by clicking on 'Reset' (access key 'j')
2) Listening to the Text
You can adjust the pitch of the spoken word, the rate or speed of delivery and the volume. You can also choose the voice to use by clicking on the drop-down list. The default voice is whatever is the standard for the computer and browser you are using.
To set your default, please refer to the description in the Accessibility Statement.
There are normally three sections of text on the page that you can listen to: the headings, the main text and a selection. Click on 'Speak Headings to speak the page headings (access key 'l'). Click on 'Speak Main Text' (access key 'q') to listen to the main text.
You can also select an area of text in the page using standard select methods and click on 'Speak Selection' (access key 'w') to read the selection aloud.
You can enable the reading out loud of the element that currently has focus by clicking on 'Start Focus Speaking' (access key 'f') and you can stop this by clicking on 'Stop Focus Speaking' (access key 'd').
You can pause the audio by clicking on 'Pause' (access key 'r') and resume by clicking on 'Resume' (access key 't').
To cancel or stop the audio click on 'Cancel' (access key 'y'). To restart the current audio from the beginning, click on 'Restart' (access key 'k').
To hide the accessibility controls click on 'Hide Panel' (access key 'h')
To hide this explanation click on 'Hide Explanation' (access key 'x')
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Edmund Radcliffe in WW2
Edmund Reynolds Willoughby Radcliffe
Born at 45 Kensington Square, London on 3rd December 1899.
Father Alexander N. Radcliffe. Mother Isabel G. Henderson. Siblings: John H, Maud M, Ruth I, & Margaret J.
Edmund was educated in East Sussex and Eton College. In 1918 he enlisted in the Coldstream Guards but did not see action. He was demobilised in 1919 and commenced a career as a solicitor in the family practice.
He married Sybil Enid Elliot on 15th July 1924. They had 3 children: Twin sons Gilbert C & Edmund L, & daughter Georgina E. Edmund married a second time in 1939. This time to Valentine Eleanor Tennant.
The Radcliffe family owned Bag Park in Widecombe and other land in the village. In earlier times the children spent much holiday time in Widecombe.
At the outbreak of the Second World War Edmund took up a Regular Army Emergency Commission with the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. In 1941 on Government instruction part of the regiment transferred to create an enlarged Airborne/parachute force. Captain Radcliffe was part of this transfer.
On 29th November 1942 Captain Radcliffe, now serving with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, was parachuted into Depienne, Tunisia, in order to capture the strategic town of Oudna. The 2nd Battalion unfortunately became trapped six miles behind enemy lines and were forced to conduct a fighting withdrawal to regain Allied lines. This action took the next 5 months.
Fighting in early March 1943 was extremely fierce around the town of Tabarka, where the 2nd battalion were located.
On the 8th March 1943 Captain Edmund Reynolds Willoughby Radcliffe was killed along with 22 other soldiers from the Parachute Regiment.
Captain Edmund R.W. Radcliffe is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery in Tunisia. He is commemorated on the War Memorial in St Pancras Church, Widecombe.
Edmund's son, Edmund L Radcliffe, was killed in 1953 during the Korean War.
Edmund Radcliffe in the Widecombe Roll of Honour
Edmund Radclife features in the Widecombe Roll of Honour for his service in World War One.
Edmund's Older Brother John who fell in World War One
Edmund Radclife's older brother John was one of the fallen in World War One.
Watch the Video of The Tunisia Front (1943)
Edmund Radcliffe in Pictures
Click on an image for a larger view
The information on this page was last modified on September 01 2020 16:53:33.