This is Grimsby --
GRIMSBY could receive a new memorial in honour of local heroes who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.
The Government scheme, which plans to commemorate the conflict's centenary next year, and will involve commemorative paving stones being laid in the home towns of the 480 British-born VC recipients, was announced by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last week.
It is expected that Grimsby will receive a memorial in honour of Samuel Needham, a private solider in the 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was born in Great Limber and raised locally.
Private Needham received his VC in September 1918, when his patrol was heavily attacked by Turkish forces in Palestine. At a critical moment, he single-handedly ran back and fired rapidly at another approaching enemy party of around 40 men from point-blank range.
His brave actions managed to force the enemy into retreat, which allowed his own patrol to regroup.
Tragically, Private Needham died from an accidental gunshot wound less than two months later, just one week before the war ended.
But local historian, and Telegraph columnist, Peter Chapman believes that there is another Victoria Cross recipient who ought to honoured with a memorial in Grimsby.
He said: "At the age of 20 years, George Leslie Drewry, a midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the disembarkation of men from the SS River Clyde at Gallipoli in April 1915.
"Although George was born in London, his father was from Cleethorpes and his mother was from Grimsby.
"Were it not for the fact that his father took up a job in London shortly beforehand, he would have been born locally. He is a Grimsby man."
Similarly to Private Needham, George Leslie Drewry died following an accident shortly before the end of the First World War. He was just 23 years old.
His Victoria Cross medal and his sword are now housed in the Imperial War Museum.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: "It is really important that we mark the centenary which saw some of the darkest days in our history and remind everyone of the sacrifice that was made – and how it affected all our lives today."
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GRIMSBY could receive a new memorial in honour of local heroes who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.
The Government scheme, which plans to commemorate the conflict's centenary next year, and will involve commemorative paving stones being laid in the home towns of the 480 British-born VC recipients, was announced by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last week.
It is expected that Grimsby will receive a memorial in honour of Samuel Needham, a private solider in the 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was born in Great Limber and raised locally.
Private Needham received his VC in September 1918, when his patrol was heavily attacked by Turkish forces in Palestine. At a critical moment, he single-handedly ran back and fired rapidly at another approaching enemy party of around 40 men from point-blank range.
His brave actions managed to force the enemy into retreat, which allowed his own patrol to regroup.
Tragically, Private Needham died from an accidental gunshot wound less than two months later, just one week before the war ended.
But local historian, and Telegraph columnist, Peter Chapman believes that there is another Victoria Cross recipient who ought to honoured with a memorial in Grimsby.
He said: "At the age of 20 years, George Leslie Drewry, a midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the disembarkation of men from the SS River Clyde at Gallipoli in April 1915.
"Although George was born in London, his father was from Cleethorpes and his mother was from Grimsby.
"Were it not for the fact that his father took up a job in London shortly beforehand, he would have been born locally. He is a Grimsby man."
Similarly to Private Needham, George Leslie Drewry died following an accident shortly before the end of the First World War. He was just 23 years old.
His Victoria Cross medal and his sword are now housed in the Imperial War Museum.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: "It is really important that we mark the centenary which saw some of the darkest days in our history and remind everyone of the sacrifice that was made – and how it affected all our lives today."
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*Have you seen our new website? More news on grimsbytelegraph.co.uk* Bookmark grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news for the best breaking news and exclusive local content. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Reported by This is 4 hours ago.