St Helens Star:

A CEREMONY has taken place at the war memorial in St Helens to celebrate the 100th anniversary since the heroic actions of a VC winner.

Corporal John Thomas Davies, known as 'Jack', was awarded the Victoria Cross for his outstanding bravery during the First World War.

Today, Friday, at noon, there was a ceremony in Victoria Square, to mark his bravery and a paving stone was unveiled in his honour.

Relatives of Corporal Davies' were in attendance before visiting his graveside afterwards.

His great nephew Roland Parr, who lives in Frankfurt in Germany, said: “It’s amazing to be here today, not only to celebrate John but also to meet other family members who before today had not met.

“I think events like this to celebrate people from the town are very important.

“When I was growing up I used to get to see the medal which was initially kept in a biscuit tin, but of course now its at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester.

“I know we all felt very emotional today remembering him as well as a great sense of pride and honour knowing he is being remembered this way.”

His great niece Christine Eddleston, who lives in Warrington, added: “It was incredibly emotional being here today as I did go to see him when I was little and remember sitting on his knee.

“I even remember his funeral because it was a full military one – I feel very proud of him and it’s nice to see the plaque here.”

Corporal John Thomas Davies

Jack, was born on September 29, 1895 in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, but grew up in St Helens and was one of the first to volunteer for the 'St Helens Pals'.

Having already been wounded twice during the Battle of Somme in 1916, and twice returning to active service, Jack was honoured for his actions near the village of Eppeville, France on March 24, 1918.

With the men of his battalion outflanked on both sides and in danger of being surrounded they were ordered to withdraw.

Corporal Davies, then 22, knew the only line of retreat lay through a deep stream lined with a belt of barbed wire and that it was imperative to hold up the enemy as long as possible.

His Victoria Cross citation noted: “He mounted the parapet, fully exposing himself, in order to get a more effective field of fire, and kept his Lewis gun in action to the last, causing the enemy many casualties and checking their advance.

“By his very great devotion to duty he enabled part of his company to get across the river, which they would otherwise have been unable to do, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of his comrades.

“When last seen this gallant N.C.O. was still firing his gun, with the enemy close on the top of him, and was in all probability killed at his gun.”

Ahead of the centenary of him being awarded the VC, the Friends of St Helens Cemetery organised for his headstone to be renovated, with JT Memorials undertaking the work.

Corporal Davies is believed to be the only WWI soldier to have been awarded a posthumous VC while still alive as he was believed to have died at his gun when he had actually been taken prisoner.

Marlene Downey, of the Friends, said: "The headstone was in a really poor state, the inscription unreadable and certainly not fitting of this local hero.

"The Friends felt urgent renovation was needed and particularly now in this 100th anniversary year.

"The stone has now been relaid as good as new and fixed to modern safety standards. The stone mason also reset and fixed a memorial pot which is in front of the grave.

"Corporal Davies was a hero, the Victoria Cross is the highest honour in this country and we should make sure his memory is kept alive in St Helens."