Blunder over spelling of young VC hero

Housing bosses have come under fire after they misspelt the name of a Victoria Cross recipient from Tipton in a building sign.

Sandwell Homes erected the sign at Barratt Court on Batmans Hill Road, Tipton.

The block of flats was named after Thomas Barratt, who was a 22-year-old private in the 7th Battalion, the South Staffordshire Regiment, during the First World War.

The building was named after the young hero when it was built. But on a new sign erected at the building, the housing organisation spelt the name 'Barrett', instead of Barratt.

Pte Barratt was in Ypres, Belgium, when he performed the act for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross and which led to his death in July 1917. During a fierce battle he worked his way towards the enemy line and bravely took out numerous snipers. Later during the battle he covered the withdrawal of his patrol with accurate shooting causing many enemy casualties.

His actions prevented the enemy's advance, and saved many lives but tragically the young soldier was killed by a shell.e

Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell's cabinet member for housing said: "As soon as I heard about this, I asked Sandwell Homes to investigate and resolve this matter as soon as possible. The original sign was taken down as part of a refurbishment programme and appears to have been mislaid."

He said Sandwell Homes had agreed a correctly spelled sign will be re-instated as a matter of urgency. He added: "Sandwell Homes is also arranging for a more detailed sign to be installed at the site to commemorate this local hero."