Ordinary men who became VC heroes

Victoria Cross holders will be the topic of a talk at the Smethwick Local History Society next month.

Town war heroes William Savage, Harold Colley and Herbert James will be discussed by Chris Sutton on Wednesday, April 1.

Mr Sutton, centre development officer and historian, will give a digital presentation about the three men's life and achievements, paying particular attention to their Smethwick roots – where they lived, went to school and worked – during the talk at Bearwood Baptish Church.

Able Seaman William Savage was awarded the VC posthumously for his part in a 1942 raid on the German-held port of St Nazaire, in western France.

A destroyer packed with high explosive was rammed into the gates of the only dry dock capable of servicing the German battleship Tirpitz.

Such was the damage inflicted that the dry dock was unusable for the remainder of World War II.

The former brewery worker from Smethwick, who was a gun-layer, helped attack enemy positions ashore despite having no gun shield, and continued firing until he was killed.

Lt Herbert James was born in Ladywood, Birmingham and attended Smethwick Central School.

In 1915 he won the VC at Gallipoli, Turkey, for outstanding acts of bravery which included leading two successful counter-attacks, and braving bombs to save a wounded comrade.

He was also awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre, and died in London in 1958.

The third hero was Sgt Harold John Colley, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who was born in May 1894 in Wilson Street, Smethwick.

He was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and the Victoria Cross in 1918.

Sgt Colley died aged 24 following wounds received when he won his VC.

Mr Sutton said: "Much is written in the history books about these men and their military achievements, but little about who they were, what their home life was like and where they grew up.

"I started to find out about these men through newspaper obituaries and took it from there.

"They were all ordinary men from Smethwick who found themselves in extraordinary situations."

Mr Sutton's talk begins at 8.15pm and more information is available on 0121 4294623.