Town never forgot its Great War hero
THE town of Walsall would not forget its debt to young Carless.
A public fundraiser to pay for a bronze bust by Wolverhampton sculptor Robert Jackson raised far more than the £350 needed.
The Lichfield Street memorial was unveiled by Rear Admiral Sir Walter Cowman on February 20, 1920 with near regal pomp. It included a procession from the town hall and floral tributes.
And, in fact, a telegram was read out on behalf of the king. It said: “To the Mayor, Town Hall, Walsall.
“On the occasion of the unveiling of the statue to the late Seaman John Henry Carless, VC, the King wishes me to assure you how much he appreciated your borough having offered this tribute to the memory of a gallant sailor.
“His Majesty further wishes me to thank you for the loyal message that you have conveyed to the King on behalf of the citizens of Walsall – King ’s Private Secretary.”
His name is also on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. And in 2009, a memorial plaque to Carless and two other VC recipients, James Thompson and Charles George Bonner, was unveiled at Walsall Town Hall.
At St Mary’s the Mount, there’s a memorial paving stone to the school’s most famous old boy.
Three roads in the borough also pay tribute to the local hero – Carless Stree, in Caldmore, Caledon Street and Caledon Place, Pleck.
And Walsall Museum, displays a cap ribbon from HMS Caledon and a painting of Carless. Medals were bequeathed to the town by his family in 1986.
A train was even named after Walsall’s sole VC recipient. John H Carless VC was officially christened at Bescot Open Day on August 30, 1992. It was placed in store at Bescot in July, 1995, and the nameplates removed.
Walsall’s pride in John Carless has not been diluted by time.