LOCAL historians who have unearthed the largely forgotten stories of 30 men awarded medals for gallantry during the First World War are calling for new streets to be named in their memory.
Royston History Group has sought to document all those from Royston awarded medals for gallantry, including the VC (Victoria Cross), MC (Military Cross), DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) MM (Military Medal) and MSM (Meritorious Service Medal).
“There is so much housing going around Royston,” said Joyce Johnson, 78, of Station Road, Royston.
“All around the village there are new estates. I think it would be wonderful to remember some of these men with streets named in their honour.
“We’ve already got a street named after Albert Shepherd - Shepherd Way. We’ve got at least six names that we think could be used in new street names.”
The group was inspired to do the research because so much is known about Albert Shepherd, who won the Victoria Cross, and lived until 1966, but so little is known about his comrades who also won medals with stories of immense bravery and heroism.
“I knew Albert Shepherd, he was a lovely man,” said Joyce. “He lived on my street, and he’d never brag about what he did.
“He’s been acknowledged with Royston’s Civic Hall given his name, the Albert Shepherd VC Centre, he’s got a street, there was an engine named after him at Monckton pit. But these others should have something to honour them too.”
History group colleague Jim Evison led the research project.
He said part of the problem was that men had been unwilling to talk about their experiences from the war, perhaps due to the trauma, or even guilt at having survived.
“All but two of these 30 men survived the war, which is incredible considering they were so in the thick of it,” said Jim, 75, of Oakwood Avenue, Royston.
“I think some of them, when they realised the extent to which their school pals had all been killed, they felt guilty, almost embarrassed to have survived, so that’s maybe one reason why they didn’t really talk about it.”
Jim and the rest of the group are hosting an open day next month where a display of all their work will be on show.
They would like to hear from people who are related to any of the 30 men - especially if they have any photos of their ancestors, either from their early life and service, as well as their later life.
The 30 men include Len Bailey, of Dove Hill, Royston, who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers who was awarded the DCM. It was for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion’ during a raid in 1918 in which he had led his section up to a trench, and having thrown bombs into it, with the help of another man captured two enemy and killed five.
He was also awarded the Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italian War Cross) having served in Italy. He survived the war and led a quiet life raising a family, until he was killed in a pit accident in 1941.
Harry Mann, of Long Row, Carlton, worked at Wharncliffe Woodmoor. He was awarded the Military Medal. He was also noted for bravery after the war for his role in the rescue following the 1936 explosion at Wharncliffe Woodmoor.
He lived into the 1980s.
And Percy Stewart, who lived at Cross Lane in Royston, also received the MM. He, along with John Tinkler who also got the MM, were both put forward for commissions and became 2nd Lieutenants.
Percy was captured by the Germans during the Spring Offensive 100 years ago.
- The open day will be held at Royston Lifelong Learning Centre, Station Road, on May 18 from 10am to 2pm. If anyone has information or photographs of any of the men, they should go along to the group which meets every Monday at the centre from 10am.
THE full list of men from the Royston area awarded medals for gallantry is as follows:
VC
Albert Edward Shepherd
MC
Thomas Walter Adam
DCM, MM and Bar
James Hopley
Edwin Hirst
DCM
Ernest Allen
Thomas Leonard Bailey
Joseph Bentley
Henry Davies
Horace Edwin Holmes
Charles Palmer
MM, Bar, and Mentioned in Dispatches
Walter Fearn
MM
Herbert Atkinson
Harry Banks
Wilfred Bent
James Briggs
John Robert Cheetham
Simeon Cole
Reuben Davies
Henry Dickinson
William Foulstone
Enock Fox
Isaac Guy
Harry Mann
Dan May
George John Micklethwaite
Henry Rowland Stephens
Percy Douglas Stewart
John George Tinkler
John Yoxall
MSM
John Edwin Firth
