At the monthly meeting of the Heritage Society writer and historian Steve Snelling gave a well-researched talk detailing the six Norfolk-born winners of the Victoria Cross in World War One. Instituted in 1856, the Victoria Cross is the highest decoration for bravery in the British and Commonwealth services. VCs were awarded in the Crimean War and subsequent campaigns leading up to World War One, when there was an upsurge with 628 being awarded. World War Two saw 182 presented, but the nature of the conflict had altered.

Harry Daniels, a baker’s son and the thirteenth child of sixteen, was born in Market Street, Wymondham, in 1884. His parents both died when he was young and he was brought up in a Boys’ Home in St Faith’s Lane, Norwich. A colourful and confident character, he signed up as a cabin boy on a herring drifter at Great Yarmouth, but in 1903 he enlisted in the army and served in India. The action for which he was awarded the VC took place at Neuve Chapelle in France on March 12 1915 when he was serving as a Company Sergeant-Major in the Rifle Brigade. With a colleague, Cecil Noble, he bravely rushed ahead of his men to cut barbed wire so an advance could be made on the German trenches. Both men were wounded with sadly Noble dying. On returning to Norwich Daniels received an extraordinary welcome comparable to one reserved today for a top celebrity. Pictures showed him leaving the Guildhall after receiving his honour, touring the city in the Lord Mayor’s coach, attending a garden party in his honour and being presented on the stage to the audience at the Hippodrome Theatre. Not a shrinking violet, Harry enjoyed every minute of the adulation. He was also awarded the Military Cross and survived the war as a Lieutenant-Colonel to become officer in charge of recruitment in north-west England and later manager of the Leeds Opera House. A successful boxer and gymnast, he died in 1953.

Harry Cator was born at Drayton in 1894 and volunteered as a “Kitchener man” in September 1914. Having won the Military Medal , he was awarded the VC for bravery during an action at Arras in April 1917, then during World War Two he joined the Home Guard and became commandant of a prisoner of war camp. He died in 1966. Sidney James Day was born in Ber Street, Norwich, in 1891 and won his VC at Hargicourt, France, in August 1917, but after the war he suffered depression before opening a tearoom in Portsmouth, where he died in 1959. Born at Shipdham in 1884, Arthur Henry Cross won his Victoria Cross for “extreme gallantry” at Ervillers, France, in March 1918 and in 1954 the VC was used by David Niven in the movie Carrington VC. Two years ago it was sold for £185000, though Cross himself had rarely had much money! Gordon Muriel Flowerdew was born in 1885 at Billingford, but emigrated to British Columbia and won his VC leading a charge of the Canadian Cavalry Corps at Moreuil Wood, France, in March 1918. Sadly he was mortally wounded and the award was made posthumously, but the heroic charge was perpetuated in an oil painting by Alfred Munnings. Ernest Seaman, who was born at Derby Street, Norwich, but grew up in Scole, was at first considered unfit for active front line service, but was awarded his VC while serving as a Lance Corporal with The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Terhand, Belgium, in September 1918. He was killed immediately after his gallant deed and his was another posthumous award.

The speaker also mentioned John Sherwood-Kelly, who although not born in the county was awarded his VC while serving with the Norfolk Regiment.

Stone slabs are being laid to commemorate Great War VC holders on the anniversaries of their gallant deeds and one for Harry Daniels has already been laid at Wymondham’s war memorial. With General Lord Richard Dannatt, former Head of the British Army, and other dignitaries attending, Wymondham’s impressive ceremony will be hard to beat.

Mike Foyle was in the chair and gave the vote of thanks.

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