VC heroes honoured with home town plaque

The bravery of three men who received the country's highest award for gallantry was remembered when a plaque was unveiled in their honour.

Around 600 people attended a ceremony to commemorate James Thompson, Charles George Bonner and John Henry Carless at Walsall Town Hall yesterday afternoon.

All three received the Victoria Cross, which is the country's highest award for gallantry while recognising bravery or devotion.

Family members, military representatives from the Mercian Regiment and council dignitaries along with scores of school pupils attended the ceremony which saw a plaque in the town hall bearing the VC recipients' names unveiled.

Prayers were led by Revd Colin Gibson, from St Matthew's Church, while a bugler played The Last Post into a one minute silence. The original Victoria Cross given to the family of Mr Carless was also on show.

Relatives of the three war heroes said the plaque was a fitting tribute to the deceased men and would ensure their names will never be forgotten. Mr Bonner's great-grandson James Bonner, aged 35, from London, said: "I am very proud of what my great grandfather did during the war and it is nice for the town to commemorate him especially at a time where war is on our minds.

"We have got to maintain the tradition of not forgetting what people in the past have done and what people today are doing.

"It is great to see so many young people were invited and so many came."

Mr Bonner's nephew David Partridge, 89, of Knights Hill, Aldridge, added: "I think it is brilliant. I am the only one living now who really remembers him and it is a fitting tribute." Mr Carless's niece Joan Poole, aged 84, of Alumwell, Walsall, said: "We have been told about what a lovely lad he was and the things he did.

" It is nice that so much time and effort has been put into showing how much he is remembered. It is marvellous."

Mr Thompson's great great-granddaughter Pauline Smith, aged 72, of Coven, near Wolverhampton, added: "It is nice to think he has been recognised in this way and it is a great tribute. All of the family wanted to come. It is a fantastic idea."

Walsall Mayor councillor John O'Hare unveiled the plaque.

He said: "It is essential that we respect these men, that we remember them as they are a source of inspiration to every single one of us."