Six to get heritage plaques
PUBLIC VOTE CHOOSES RECIPIENTS OF HONOUR
THE first woman to qualify as a pharmacist, the founder of the Quaker movement and a soldier posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross are to be honoured with county council green plaques.
More than 3,700 votes were cast to choose six recipients, from a shortlist of 12 – and an original 32 nominations.
The nominees who received the most votes and who will receive a green plaque are:
Lt Col Philip Eric Bent VC DSO, attended school in Ashby. He was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele while leading a charge and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Sgt Herbert Ernest Black RAFVR, a Second World War fighter pilot from Measham whose plane was hit in a dogfight during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Sgt Black managed to escape from his burning plane, but was badly hurt and later died of his injuries;
Frances Elizabeth Deacon, from Fleckney. She was the first woman to
pass the qualifying exam to become a pharmacist.
When she died at the age of 92, she was the oldest registered chemist in England.
George Fox, from Fenny Drayton, who founded the Quaker movement.
His ideas influenced a US Constitution and Bill of Rights in the USA and the ideas of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity used in the French Revolution. The Quaker were also among the first to oppose slavery.
Military Stables at the Defence Animal Training Unit, Melton. The Defence Animal Training Regiment has been training and caring for animals used in military defence since 1905.
It was originally responsible for the purchase and training of horses for the British Army between 1887 and 1942 and now trains mainly dogs for the Ministry of Defence.
It is also the home of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Theodora Salusbury, Arts & Crafts stained-glass artist who designed windows in nearly 30 churches, including Narborough, Newtown Linford, Queniborough, Kimcote, Woodhouse Eaves and Birstall.
Councillor Dan Harrison, county council chairman, said: “I’m delighted to see members of the public have again cast their votes to pay tribute to people and places who have made a mark on the history of their communities.
“The response has once again been fantastic, with more than 3,700 votes cast – and there were so many worthy winners to choose from, all of whom have made a great and lasting contribution to their communities and the wider world.
“I would like to thank everyone who nominated a person or place, and all those people who voted to decide where the latest round of Green Plaques should be awarded.”