Harrogate Borough Council
Menu
Harrogate's Victoria Cross holders to be honoured
18 OCTOBER
2007: WHEN
Harrogate Borough Council dedicated a plaque some years ago in
honour of two of its gallant sons Victoria Cross holders' Donald
Bell and Charles Hull they were not aware that a third Harrogate
born soldier also received this highest military
honour. Sergeant Robert Grant of the
5th Regiment of Foot was just 20 years old in 1857 when
he went under heavy fire at Alumbagh, India to save the life of a
private whose leg had been shot away.
Thanks to the Royal British Legion Harrogate Victory Branch,
whose recent research had brought this to light, the council has
agreed to place a new plaque at the Harrogate War Memorial
dedicated to all three Harrogate holders of the Victoria
Cross.
The original plaque to Donald and Charles will also remain at
the Queen Victoria Gardens on Station Parade.
A rededication parade, service and wreath laying is to take
place on Sunday, 28 October.
Mr Charles Allan, President of the Royal British Legion
Harrogate Victory Branch is pleased that these brave men will be
remembered by generations to come. "The Victoria
Cross is the highest award for gallantry. It was
during the Crimean War that Queen Victoria received reports of the
huge courage and fortitude of British servicemen, which moved her
to instruct the striking of a new medal. Her
wish was that this award did not recognise birth or class, rank or
long service. In fact she wanted to honour the
one rare quality a man's exceptional bravery ' in the face of the
enemy.
"Based on the Maltese Cross with the simple words 'For
Valour', the VC was introduced in 1856 and since then only 1356
medals have an awarded. Robert Grant was,
therefore, one of the very first servicemen to be awarded this
honour. Charles Hull was awarded the VC in 1915
for his bravery at Hafiz Kor on the North West Frontier India and
Donald Bell was 25 years old and fighting at the Somme in 1916 when
his outstanding actions earned him this medal."
ENDS
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Sunday
28 October - The church service will start at 11.00 am in St
Peter's Church to be conducted by Reverend Tony Shepherd, Padre to
the Royal British Legion Harrogate Victory Branch.
More...
At 11.30 am a regimental parade will form up around the
Cenotaph. Representatives from the three
Regimental Associations' of the Victoria Cross holders
(5th Regiment of Foot, 21st Lancers and the
West Yorkshire Regiment) will join members of the local armed
forces and associated youth organisations.
At 11.45 am, Charles Allan, President of the Royal British
Legion Harrogate Victory Branch; Councillor Jim Clark, Deputy Mayor
of the Borough of Harrogate; Phil Wills MP for Harrogate and
Knaresborough; and other dignitaries (including John Dean, the
Chairman of Bradford Football Team as Donald Bell played for them
before joining the Armed Forces) will lay wreaths.
FURTHER INFORMATION: is available from Mr
Gordon Townsley, Vice Chairman of the Harrogate Victory Branch and
Parade Co-ordinator on 873216.