Tri-Service

HRH Prince William Pays Tribute To WWI VC Recipients

The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to First World War servicemen whose bravery earned them the Victoria Cross, including a lance corporal who single-handedly stormed a machine gun post.

HRH Prince William laid a wreath during a service outside Birmingham's Hall of Memory as he unveiled 10 of 627 memorial stones commissioned by the government to honour all those awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) during the Great War.

Under the five-year initiative, announced by the Communities Secretary in 2013, commemorative paving stones are being laid around the British Isles to honour VC winners in their home communities.

Among the 10 servicemen honoured in Birmingham is Corporal William Amey, who was awarded the VC in November 1918 for "most conspicuous bravery" in killing two enemy troops manning a machine gun inside a farmhouse.

The member of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, from Duddeston, Birmingham, then drove other enemy soldiers into a cellar before taking 20 prisoners after help arrived.

More from Forces TV:The Incredible Story Of Fazal Din VC

After laying a wreath with a hand-written message paying tribute to "those who paid the ultimate sacrifice" and "did not fear to put their country and their comrades" before themselves, William chatted with relatives of some of those honoured by the 10 memorial stones.

A great-nephew and two great-nieces of Private Arthur Vickers, who survived the First World War and died in 1944, were among those who spoke with the Duke after a brief service addressed by the Bishop of Birmingham.

Pte Vickers, from Aston, was awarded the VC in 1915 after braving a "firestorm" of shells and bullets to cut through barbed wire holding up his battalion in northern France.

The soldier's great-nephew, Alan Vickers, 62, said after meeting William: "The memorial means everything to the family but it's also a recognition of Birmingham as well.

"It has put the icing on the cake that his (the Duke's) generation also revere what past generations have done and sacrifices which they have made."

Speaking during the short service of remembrance, Brigadier Robin Anderson-Brown, the head of the Army in the West Midlands, said of the 10 First World War heroes: "These were brave men from a remarkable generation that endured great hardships wherever they served.

"It is a huge honour to be able to celebrate their lives and status as Victoria Cross recipients together with their relatives.

"The 10 men who we remember today are among 627 Victoria Cross recipients of the Great War.

"They are testament to the fighting spirit and prowess in battle of those from this great city, a tradition that continues today with significant numbers of our armed forces coming from Birmingham and the West Midlands region."