World War I centenary: Paving stones to honour heroes

Lance-Sergeant William Herbert WARING, 25th Battalion of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers.



A long-serving member of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, he had earned his living as a Labourer, Featherer and Poultry Butcher before being sent on active service overseas in 1916. He was serving in Gaza when awarded the Military Medal in November the following year. In May 1918, he was transferred to the Western Front and was serving there when this seemingly ordinary man performed extraordinary feats that saw him recommended for the VC. His citation states:

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Ronssoy, on 18 September 1918. He led an attack against enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance of neighbouring troops, and, in the face of devastating fire from flank and front, single-handed, rushed a strong point, bayonetting four of the garrison and capturing 20 with their guns. L/Serjt. Waring then, under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, reorganised his men and led and inspired them for another 400 yards, when he fell mortally wounded. His valour, determination and leadership were conspicuous throughout."

Evacuated to the General Hospital at Le Havre, Waring succumbed to his wounds on 8 October 1918; just days before his 33rd birthday and a month before the Armistice.

Waring's "paving stone" plaque is set into the wall of the Town Hall in Welshpool and while he is the only VC awardee born in the town, Captain Stephen Halden Beattie VC (for actions in Saint-Nazaire, 1942) was born a mile outside and Private John Doogan VC (for actions during the battle of Laing’s Nek, 1881) lived in or near the town for about 20 years.

 

Frederick Palmer :
Victoria Cross,Shepherds Bush Green London.
On 16/17 February 1917 north of Courcelette, France, Lance-Sergeant Palmer assumed command of his company when all his officers had become casualties. Having cut his way under point-blank fire, through wire entanglements, he dislodged an enemy machine-gun and established a "block". He then collected some other men and held the barricade for nearly three hours against seven determined counter-attacks. While he was fetching more bombs an eighth counter-attack was delivered, threatening the advance of the whole flank. At this critical moment, although suffering from extreme exhaustion, he rallied his men, drove back the enemy and maintained his position
Frederick William Palmer - Wikipedia

 

Located Bermondsey London


ABLE SEAMAN ALBERT EDWARD McKENZIE
Service Number: J/31736
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Navy

H.M.S. "Vindictive."

Date of Death
Died 03 November 1918

Age 20 years old

Buried or commemorated at
CAMBERWELL OLD CEMETERY

85. 25538.

United Kingdom

• Country of Service

Albert Edward McKenzie - Wikipedia