World War I centenary: Paving stones to honour heroes

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by dbf, Aug 4, 2013.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23563616
    [​IMG]
    British infantrymen marching towards the front lines in the River Somme valley during World War I

     
  2. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

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  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thanks for that list. (Always nice to see Scott's and Pitts' names listed, Boer war co-recipients who both served during WW1, in Pitts' case abroad and entitled to campaign medals.)

    I wonder if there might be the usual arguments about what constitutes a "home town". (Perhaps some men were born in one place but were associated with another for longer.)
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Well that didn't take long...

    http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/our_vc_hero_rex_gets_official_snub_1_2340554
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/10244582/Indian-born-RAF-hero-who-downed-Zeppelin-denied-memorial.html
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2394716/WWI-Fighter-pilot-Reginald-Warneford-ignored-Victoria-Cross-commemoration.html
     
  5. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    Woolston (Southampton) The 'Millenium Feather' close to the Supermarine factory has a nice touch, the walking areas are block paved, each block paid for by someone wishing to commemorate someone,event or other. Names of folk killed in the bombing raids Uncle and Aunty X of XX Victoria rd. HM ships and crews dates lost etc. Test pilots and Supermarine aircraft, Ships built at Vosper and Thorneycroft. Much of local history. Men and women and units they served with.
     
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  6. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    There were a small number of WW1 Victoria Cross recipients from my home area but at the time of posting, I have not heard anything definite about the proposed commemorative paving stones.

    However, as Diane has already pointed out, there could be a debate about what constitutes the 'home town' of one of these - 2nd Lt. Joseph Henry Collin, V.C. I believe he was born at Jarrow but is mostly associated with Carlisle. For example, Lt. Collins is one of the parishioners commemorated on the WW1 memorial outside the R.C. parish church of Our Lady & St Joseph's, Carlisle (see attached photographs).

    At the time of his death, and the posthumous award of the V.C. this was presumably his 'parish' and 'home town'. (His name is the 6th one listed in the L-H side column).
     

    Attached Files:

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  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    If this 'home town argument' does develop further, what a silly matter it is !

    I'd have thought the whole idea was not only about commemorating WW1 VC recipients themselves, but also involving respective communities in order that they become either aware or take more pride in the association with an individual and their deeds.

    If an individual was associated with more than one place (birth/residence), what on earth is wrong with having more than one commemorative stone? For instance, we all know that same individuals can appear on more than one war memorial anyway.



    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_First_World_War_Victoria_Cross_recipients
    As a matter of interest, does anyone know how many of these were born in UK, and of those how many didn't serve in British forces at the time of their award? Has a list of names under consideration yet been produced?

    In other words, will this nit-picking also apply to someone born in UK who was awarded VC whilst serving in eg Canadian or Australian forces?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_MacGregor_(VC) - Born in Scotland, served with CEF, died in Canada.
     
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  8. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

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  9. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    Why did I expect this typical spoiling the ship for ha'porth of tar approach? Probably 26 years in the Civil Service. Why not allow place of residence when the Cross was awarded as well if there is doubt? (I'm not advocating two stones where different in UK cases).
     
  10. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Rather sadly, one could just about see this sort of thing coming .....
     
  11. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

  12. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    If anyone is around in Dublin tonight...
    "A memorial paving stone to Lieutenant Maurice Dease, the first winner of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the First World War, will be unveiled at Glasnevin Cemetery tomorrow night (23rd August).
    This coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Mons which took place on August 23rd, 1914.
    Lieutenant Dease (24), who was originally from Coole, Co Westmeath, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross because he remained at his machine gun post even after being critically injured during an assault on Nimy Bridge outside Mons.
    Lieutenant Dease died of his wounds and is buried in St Symphorien cemetery which President Michael D. Higgins visited earlier this month as part of commemoration services to mark the start of the first World War."
    http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/first-wwi-victoria-cross-winner-to-get-memorial-in-glasnevin-1.1905197?fb_action_ids=782275561825218&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=.U_eTJq3tHWw.like
     
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  13. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    In case anyone living or staying in Cumbria over Christmas time, two of the WW1 Victoria Cross commemorative paving stones will be dedicated on Sunday 21 December 2014, as indicated below:

    Private James Alexander Glenn Smith V.C. - Workington Railway Station, 12 Noon.

    Private Abraham Acton V.C. - Lowther Street, Whitehaven (outside St. Nicholas' Church), 1.30 p.m.

    Both of them were serving with the Border Regiment. The timing of the two short events is to allow people to attend both dedications if they wish. I understand that each service is expected to last about 15 mins or so.

    The action for which these two were awarded the V.C. was the last before the end of 1914. Both Private Smith and Private Acton were also in the trenches during the 'Christmas truce' that took place in that sector.
     
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  14. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Cheers for the heads up Joseph, I hope I can at least get to one of the ceremony's.

    Michael.
     
  15. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

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  16. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

  17. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    The WW1 V.C. paving stones for James Smith V.C. and Abraham Acton V.C. were unveiled on Sunday 21 December 2014. The paving stone for James Smith V.C. will be temporarily housed at Workington library until after the town's railway station is renovated in 2015. The paving stone for Abraham Acton V.C. has been mounted at Lowther Street, Whitehaven outside St Nicholas' Church Gardens.

    The action for which these two were awarded the Victoria Cross was the last of 1914. Both of them were present in the front line trenches when the 1914 Christmas Truce was called. On their sector of the front the truce, or armistice, lasted until 8 January 1915.

    Attached photographs:

    01. James Smith V.C. (archives & library information board)

    02. Abraham Acton V.C. memorial paving stone being unveiled (by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria and a relative of Abraham)

    03. WW2 Talk member 'Deacs' (Michael) at the unveiling ceremony for the Abraham Acton paving stone.
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    The unveiling Of Private James Smith's commemorative paving stone at Workington train station.

    J.Smith VC 2.jpg

    J.Smith VC 1.jpg

    The paving stone will be held in Workington library until the train station is revamped (Joseph please correct me if I am wrong)
     
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  19. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    A couple of photos from the unveiling of Abraham Acton's commemorative paving stone.

    As you have got me Joseph here is a photo of you :D

    Joseph (Ristonvaljos).jpg
    Joseph is wearing the red hat.

    A..jpg
     
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  20. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    ... and talking with the County Highways and museum representatives. (The Parachute Regiment baseball cap was bought at Arnhem). Some of the information / photographs on the information boards for these two V.C. winners were contributed by 'Yours Truly'.
     

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