IN PICTURES: Hometown honour for hero of First World War trenches

A plaque was unveiled to Victoria Cross recipient Oldswinford-born Second Lieutenant Edward Felix Baxter at Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge in a ceremony attended by distant relatives and dignitaries.

Holding a live bomb in his hand during a brave wire-cutting mission in the trenches, Second Lieutenant Baxter slipped. The explosive dropped to the floor and the pin released – but the brave soldier quickly took out the detonator and smothered it into the ground.

His action saved the alarm being raised and the lives of his comrades.

During the raid itself, on the night of 17-18 April, he led the storming party - known as the 'Forty Thieves'.

The first into the German trench, he shot a sentry with his revolver, then helped to bomb German dug-outs and afterwards assisted the last of his men back over the parapet. He was never seen alive again and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. It is believed that the Germans buried him. His grave was discovered during the British advance in 1918 and he was re-interred in Fillièvres British Cemetery.

On Monday a ceremony was held at the park to commemorate his sacrifice.

It was attended by family members Christopher Firmstone and Dr Sue Clegg.

Retired architect Christopher Firmstone, from Wordsley, who discovered a family link to Baxter, said of the ceremony: "I was actually quite moved and it reminded one of the sacrifices all those young men made in the First World War."

Dr Sue Clegg, from Kent, who also discovered a connection to Baxter after her godmother died in 2011, said she was "very honoured" to attend the ceremony.

Born in Oldswinford in 1885 in a house which is now the Crabmill pub, Baxter moved to Liverpool after attending boarding school at Christ's Hospital, London.

A keen motorcycle racer who had competed in the 1910 Isle of Mann TT, he was a headteacher when war broke out and he signed up immediately.

His skill on the bike meant he was employed as a despatch rider once in the force.

He married in 1906 and had a daughter in 1907.

When the war came he signed up immediately to the war effort.

He moved from the Royal Engineers to the Defence Corps before his final posting as Second Lieutenant in 1/8th King's (Liverpool) Regiment,

In January 1916 his battalion was sent to France as part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, stationed near Arras.

Several weeks later when a major a trench raid was carried out on April 18, Mr Baxter, with the rank of a bombing officer, lost his life.

Official citation after his death stated he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his courage.

"For most conspicuous bravery," it said. Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting wire close to the enemy's trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet.

"Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties.

"Later, he led the left storming party with the greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench, shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb dugouts, and finally climbed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet.

"After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at once to look for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty."

Among the attendants of the plaque unveiling were Mayor of Dudley Steve Waltho, High Sheriff Dr Keith Bradshaw DL, local dignitaries and distant family of Baxter.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: "We are so privileged to honour Second Lieutenant Baxter as our Victoria Cross hero.

"His courage and sacrifice is something we can all be proud of and laying this memorial stone means that his life and bravery will be remembered for years to come."

A second event was held on the day at Dudley Archives at 2.30pm, including a mini exhibition and talk, led by historian Roy Peacock of the Black Country Society, who has researched Baxter's life in great detail and produced a short pamphlet about the local hero.

Recently published 'Dudley's 1914-1918 War Memorial and the 720 Men Commemorated' will be on sale at the event.

It was written by keen local historian and Dudley Council employee John Hale and details the lives of the 720 men whose names are inscribed on Dudley's clock tower war memorial.

Second Lieutenant Baxter's memorial will be the first of three to be installed across the borough, with Private Thomas Barratt of Coseley and Lance Corporal Thomas Bryan of Stourbridge also due to be commemorated over the coming years.

Each plaque is unveiled 100 years to the day when each man was awarded the Victoria Cross.