Victoria Cross heroes found

Four Victoria Cross winners hailed from the borough of Sandwell, enthusiasts at a local history group discovered.

Earlier this year a blue plaque was installed in Hill Top to mark the birthplace of Captain Robert Edwin Phillips, said to be the borough’s only winner of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. But Mary Bodfish, chairman of the Smethwick Local History Society, said a further three men from the borough were honoured with the rare medal, of which just 1,356 have been presented in the last 150 years.

Captain Phillips was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917 for saving the life of his commanding officer while serving in Mesopotamia, now Iraq.

Miss Bodfish said Harold Colley, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, was in the 10th Lancashire Fusiliers and received the Victoria Cross in 1918.

Joseph Davies, of Tipton, who went on to live in Wednesbury, was in the 10th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and was given the Victoria Cross in 1916. And Able Seaman William Savage was awarded the honour in 1942.

Harold Colley was awarded his VC for action at Martinpuich, France on August 25, 1918.He picked up the award for the “most conspicuous bravery and initiative” when in command of a platoon. He was badly injured as a result of his actions and died of his wounds later the same day.

Joseph John Davies, who died in 1976 was awarded the medal for actions at Delville Wood, France on July 20 1916.

Corporal Davies and eight men were completely surrounded, but Corporal Davies got his men into a shell hole and by throwing bombs and opening rapid fire he succeeded in routing the attackers.

Able Seaman William Savage was awarded the Victoria Cross for action on March 28, 1942 in an attack on St. Nazaire, France. Able Seaman Savage, who was a gun-layer, attacked enemy positions ashore, despite having no gun shield. He continued firing until at last he was killed at his gun.