Stunning tale of war bravery

Ashbourne Probus Club

WILLIAM Harold Coltman, often known as “Bill”, was the most highly decorated noncommissioned of WW1. His awards were Military Medal and Bar, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Bar, and the highest award of all, The Victoria Cross.

Each medal was awarded for outstanding bravery, a disregard for personal safety and an unquestioned devotion to duty; the VC for valour.

It is a truly amazing record, the more so because he never engaged in combat. His Christian Faith precluded the taking of human life.

Bill continually put his life on the line in no man’s land, often under intense enemy fire to tend the wounded.

In many situations he carried wounded comrades on his back to the relative safety of their own lines.

Although designated as a stretcher bearer, he worked alone in the unspeakable conditions of death, and destruction of the front line.

Even though he was short (5ft 4ins), he was very strong and able to negotiate hostile terrain with great skill and even greater determination.

Bill Coltman was born in November 1891 in the village of Rangemore outside Burton on Trent. He attended the village school and became a gardener, and was known to be a very humble man.

After the war he returned to his gardening – but although much feted in the community, he had little or no time for self or any other form of publicity.

On his return to Burton a reception was organised for this brave soldier at the local train station.

On hearing about this, William left the train at the previous station and walked home to avoid it all.

The presenter of this wonderful talk, Coltman’s great grandson Tim, was quite unable to answer questions relating to Bill’s personal account of his experiences in the war, because, like so many of his contemporaries, Bill hardly ever spoke about them.

The medals, estimated to be worth more than £1 million are under security in the Regimental Museum of The Mercians.

Tim included a brief account of the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in 1920.

Amonge those standing as part of a guard of honour of 100 soldiers who had been awarded the Victoria Cross, was William H Coltman.

It was a rare privilege to hear this story of unparalleled bravery inspired by Christian beliefs and total faith.

It was very much a story of two crosses.

Before the talk there was a brisk and efficient business meeting, confirming upcoming activities.

Wyn Reilly gave his usual polished and sincere vote of thanks, which was warmly supported.