A Victoria Cross medal awarded to a Black Country hero for his bravery during the First World War is still not on public display – 20 years after it was bequeathed, his stunned relatives have learned.
Dennis Reynolds, who lives in Australia, made a special visit to Walsall to see the honour posthumously awarded to his cousin John Carless, a sailor, in 1918. Mr Carless helped other wounded men, despite being hurt himself, by manning a gun under fire on HMS Caledon in the naval battle of Heligoland on November 17, 1917.
Despite having stomach injuries he continued to fire his gun until he collapsed, only to get back up and cheer on the new gun’s crew until he died.
His cousin, who last visited Walsall 17 years ago, was amazed to discover the medal is kept in a locked drawer rather than on public show.
The medal was left in a bequest to the people of Walsall in 1986 on the understanding that it would be displayed.
Council chiefs say that it has to be viewed by appointment only for security reasons and have plans for a replica VC to be part of a local heroes exhibition at Walsall Museum.
Mr Reynolds, who is a first cousin once removed to Mr Carless, in England visiting relatives and made a special trip to Walsall to view the precious medal.
The 73-year-old said: “It was upsetting to see the Victoria Cross just wrapped up in tissue and not in its original presentation box. But what is most upsetting is that it was the wish for the Victoria Cross to be placed on display at the museum for the public to come and look at it.”
Walsall Council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture Councillor Louise Harrison said: “Due to the value of Carless’s Victoria Cross and because we do not currently have an alarmed display case, members of the public can currently view the VC by appointment only – we are always very pleased to accommodate this.”
13 Comments
Since when did useless Walsall council EVER do something that it’s electors wanted? What a disgrace.
I fully understand how Mr Reynolds must feel, It was very generious of the family to donate this VC to Walsall Town in the first place, and then to learn that their wishes have not been complied with beggers believe. John Carless gave his life for this country, the fact that Walsall were honoured in being bequeathed this priceless VC Medal, you would think the council would have had it proudly on display, not locked away in someones draw. Walsall Council should be ashamed, Council heads should roll for this. I suggest that Walsall Council quickly arrange a proper secure display for this VC Medal. The Carless family were kind enough to donate it, the least you can do is display it! I am sure there are many organisations in the UK who would have treasured such a priceless gesture.
SO COME ON WALSALL COUNCIL.. GIVE THIS TOP PRIORITY, REGARDLESS OF COST! DO IT NOW!!!
Good-afternoon all!
I had to read this news item twice
to believe my eyes!Fancy having a
Victoria Cross lying around in some
drawer,hidden away!One should be
proud of such feats of honour like
this from ones borough,and put it
on display whenever possible,even
if it were only to encourage todays
armed forces abroad,not to mention
the insult for the deceased,s
present next of kin,who wanted it
put on display anyway in the first
place!
FJ Bartling,Hilversum,Holland.
PS.think of all those who were
honoured with a VC liberating this
country during WW2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good grief unbelievable what on earth are the council employees up to
They’ve lost it.
This story is unbelievable. A real war hero who gave his life for his country gets locked away in a drawer. This council needs to be gone, they are a disgrace. Their actions are tantamount to treason in my book, they make me want to vomit!!!!!!
i take it it’s not politicaly correct to display a medal given by England to a man who bravely gave his life so we may live.
I think this is the only way you get on a council is to display this pathetic attitude, sometimes i wonder was it ever worth these young men and women giving their lives so this c–p could run a PC world.
Dead right nr:7.
If it had have been some miscreant caught fighting for the taliban, there would have been yet another opportunist, supersilious pc twit wantin tax payer hand outs to make a film about it.
The council is mis-guided and it’s attitude rather pathetic. My father is so proud of the family link and its such a pity that the council has not realised that it is doing the wrong thing by the relatives.
Wake up Walsall council this is a valuable HERITAGE item donated for public display. It MUST BE DISPLAYED, not to do so is a dis-honor to the memory of John Carless.
On behalf of my father I too will join in the fight ensure that the VC is displayed. I will be arriving soon in the UK and I’m now very disappoined that I will not be able to view the VC, something that means so much to my father.
As the Victoria Cross was given by this brave man’s family TO DISPLAY in the Walsall Council buildings and as this c–p council has failed to live up to the terms of agreement then the medal should be given back immediately to the family.
No if’s no buts no maybes perhaps they would be generous enough to
then donate the medal to the Navy whom i’m sure would appreciate it a lot more than Walsall council.
If you start up a petition Mr. Reynolds put me down as one for your petition
As a member of the Reynolds family I agree with Dennis that this medal having been given to Walsall for the residents to see should be on display for all, after all it was contributions from Walsall that paid for his parents to go to Buckingham Palace to receive the VC in the first place. If the problem is cost of security as was given as the reason for non-display then where has the display case used previously at Museum gone?
Would you beleive there are two other winners of the VC associated with Walsall. Try finding out anything about them. The council steadfastly refuse to acknowledge their existence.
I am very pleased to note the comments of readers who have made comment on John Carless VC story. I do not agree with the comment from Council, to display a replica, would be a disgrace, perhaps as Roy Jenkins suggested on the 15th Oct, the medal should be given to the Royal Navy. I will not rest until the original Medal is on display, one way or the other. I hope my comments as a relative, will be endorced by other surviving relatives.
Come on Walsall, do the right thing.
dennis reynolds.