Eight Victoria Crosses to go on display at Cathedral
A COLLECTION of eight Victoria Crosses won by the Staffordshire Regiment are to go on display at Lichfield Cathedral.
The unprecedented haul of the British military’s top honour will be put on show as part of the cathedral’s Sunday, November 11, Remembrance commemorations – 100 years to the day after the guns fell silent.
The procession will enter Lichfield Cathedral and the eight medals – all belonging to the regiment museum in nearby Whittington – will be placed on a “drum head” pyramid of regimental ceremonial drums.
One of the VCs was gained by Coseley hero Thomas Barrett. Another is that of Burton’s Lance Corporal William Coltman VC, DCM and Bar, MM and Bar, a stretcher bearer during the Great War.
His grandson, John Coltman, said: “My grandfather is the highest decorated soldier ever in the British Army.
“I am delighted that his medal is being put out on display so that people should be reminded of the cost of war.”
William Coltman was one of several VC recipients from the Midlands who formed the 100 strong Victoria Cross “Guard of Valour” for the procession of the Unknown Warrior past the new Cenotaph on Whitehall and in Westminster Abbey.
Of the other seven Victoria Crosses, one was awarded to Burslem-born John Baskeyfield.
The cathedral service starts at 10am and from 12.30 to 2.30 the VCs will be displayed in the chapter house.
The cathedral will also stage a nighttime “Poppy Fields Light and Sound” spectacular this weekend. A recording of actor Eddie Redmayne reciting poems from the Great War poets completes the visual and aural experience.
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Rev Adrian Dorber, said: “This is the final phase in our commemoration of the centenary of the end of the First World War. We must move from remem- brance to an emphasis on peace and reconciliation. The loss of human life on the epic scale of World War One cannot, and should never, be repeated. Our newly completed and installed icon ‘Christ crucified and Risen’ serves as a judgment on all human violence.”
The Canon Precentor Andrew Stead reflected on the hard work and effort of everyone. He said: “To have eight Victoria Crosses in one place at one time is a very special thing. We are indebted to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and the Mercian Regiment for their co-operation and support in making this possible. These awards are significant in terms of personal courage as well as being a nation’s tribute to those who were awarded them for acts of gallantry.”
The Victoria Cross was established in 1856 and is named after Queen Victoria, who insisted they could be awarded to all soldiers and sailors regardless of their rank.