War Heroes To Be Honoured

[Peter Clare]

WAR HEROES HONOURED FOR THEIR BRAVERY





Relatives of Staffordshire and Cheshire war heroes are travelling from across the world to attend a special anniversary service this weekend.

The ceremony is in honour of area's 56 Victoria Cross (VC) holders and 21 George Cross (GC) recipients.

Families of 50 of the 77 servicemen have been traced and will be among the 1,000-strong crowd at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday at 3.30pm.


Among them will be relatives of North Staffordshire heroes Lance Sergeant Jack Baskeyfield, from Burslem; Lance Sergeant John Rhodes, from Packmoor; and Sergeant Ernest Egerton, from Blythe Bridge.

The service has been welcomed by Baskeyfield's 74-year-old sister Gladys Jones, of Stanfields, who believes it is important to remember those who have received the nation's highest award for bravery.

Mrs Jones said: "I can only just remember him, I was only 12 years old when he died. I am looking forward to the service but I expect it will be quite emotional.

"It is a good thing that all of them are remembered. What they did, they did for their country. They should not be forgotten."

Also in the congregation will be the family of John Rhodes. His grandson Christopher and great grandson Ben will head the contingent.

Ben Rhodes, of Hertfordshire, said he was extremely proud of his great-grandfather and his heroics.

He said: "It is unfortunate I was never able to meet him or to meet anybody else who did, since he died before my grandfather was born. I will be very proud to attend the Lichfield service with the rest of the family."

Also hoping to meet up with long lost relatives is Christine Tilsley, aged 58, of Birches Head, who will be honouring both her distant relatives Baskeyfield and Rhodes.

She said: "I would still like to go, although I am only distantly related to them both. I think it is very important they are all remembered. I imagine it is going to be something very special."

Lichfield Cathedral, which sits 1,100 people, is expected to be packed out for the occasion.

More than 600 relatives are set to attend, joined by 200 members of the Royal British Legion.

Among regiments forming the guard of honour will be The Grenadier Guards - the regiment Baskeyfield was attached to when he was fatally wounded. Quartermaster Sergeant James Hawkins said: "Every regiment has great pride in its VC holders. His citation shows how courageous he was."

Prince Charles has sent a personal message of support to the event's organiser, former Cheadle Mayor Peter Elkin.

Mr Elkin said: "It is set to be a spectacular pageant, which should not be missed. Such a gathering of families of VC and GC recipients has never happened before in the Midlands. Family members are travelling from as far afield as Australia and from all over the UK."

Mr Elkin's ancestor, Samuel Parkes, won the VC in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854, and he has embarked on a mission to ensure VC heroes were honoured by their families and countrymen.

He has also issued an appeal for transport to take Jack Baskeyfield's sister Glady Jones and four other members of her party to the cathedral and is hoping a taxi firm may step into the breach.

He said: "It would very sad if she was not able to attend. It would not be the same without her."

Mr Elkin can be contacted on 07941 907547.