Wolverhampton Victoria Cross hero honoured with commemorative stone - PICTURES and VIDEO
A memorial stone honouring a Victoria Cross hero from Wolverhampton has been unveiled today in the city.
Corporal Roland Elcock was remembered 100 years to the day that he performed a remarkable act of bravery on the battlefield.
Cpl Elcock, of the Royal Scots Regiment, ran alone towards firing enemy machine guns in Capelle-St. Catherine, France, in 1918.
He got to within 10 yards of the enemy guns, which had been causing heavy casualties, put them out of action, captured five prisoners and saved the British advance from being held up.
Later that day, near the River Lys, he again attacked an enemy machine gun and captured the crew.
WATCH highlights from the day:
In recognition of his bravery, Cpl Elcock was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest award for gallantry - and the official citation described him as 'absolutely fearless'.
All 469 British soldiers to have been awarded a Victoria Cross during the First World War will have a memorial stone laid in their birthplace as part of the national centenary commemorations of the conflict.
Cpl Elcock, who was born in the Heath Town in 1889, had his stone unveiled at the cenotaph in St Peter's Square today at a ceremony.
Wolverhampton Mayor, Councillor Phil Page, said: "Roland Elcock is a true war hero, his bravery on the battlefield 100 years ago was nothing short of astonishing.
"He was rightly awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and this memorial stone will ensure his memory lives on."
After the war, Cpl Elcock worked at Wolverhampton Corporation Electricity Department and later moved to India finding employment in the post and telegraph service. He was promoted to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs on the North-West Frontier.
During the Second World War he achieved the rank of Major in the British Indian Army.
He died of ill health at Dehra Dun, India, on October 6, 1944, where he is buried.
In August this year, a memorial stone was unveiled in honour of Wolverhampton's only other First World War Victoria Cross holder, Lance Corporal George Onions, at Oxford Street in Bilston.
