Park honour for Victoria Cross hero
A NUNEATON-born Victoria Cross recipient will have his heroics permanently etched into the borough’s history when a memorial to commemorate his bravery is unveiled in his hometown.
One hundred years after World War One ended, a special paving stone in honour of Cecil Knox will be placed in Riversley Park.
It was back in 1918 that Second Lieutenant Knox received the highest decoration in the United Kingdom military from King George V.
The Telegraph understands that the ceremony will take place at the end of March and will pay tribute to the soldier who showed true gallantry when he was entrusted with destroying 12 bridges along the Somme Canal to halt the German advance.
In 2014 we revealed that there would be a Government programme to honour Victoria Cross recipients but, in the following years, relatives of the soldier had not heard any word about the special stone.
They enlisted the help of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough councillor Kris Wilson to find out what was happening.
“I have been contacted by representatives of the Knox family as they did not receive a reply to their request for a memorial in honour of our town’s only winner of the highest honour, the Victoria Cross,” Cllr Wilson explained.
“I am delighted to have been able to investigate and report back that the council will erect a memorial this year, the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, and I look forward to the unveiling of the memorial stone.
“Nuneaton has a rich history to be proud of, and I believe that it is only fitting that we remember our town’s only VC winner. As time goes on, it is all the more important that we remember and commemorate our heritage. I am sure that the family of Cecil Knox will also be thrilled that our town will honour one of its most memorable heroes.”
Cecil Knox is not the only Nuneaton resident to receive the prestigious Victoria Cross. So did William Beasley, however, as he was born in Staffordshire, it is understood that his plaque will be installed in his hometown and not Nuneaton.