War hero’s plaque replaced

A PLAQUE honouring the bravery of a Worksop war hero has been replaced after it was stolen by scrap metal thieves in January.

The replacement plaque to commemorate the heroic actions of Victoria Cross medallist William Henry Johnson was unveiled during a ceremony at Worksop Memorial Park.

Representatives from around Worksop and the grandson of Sgt. Johnson attended the respectful and dignified occasion.

“I was hurt when I heard it was stolen but thankfully it’s been replaced now and it looks very nice,” said grandson Keith, 72, from Radcliffe-on-Trent.

Sgt. Johnson was awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery at Ramicourt, northern France on the 3rd of October, 1918 where he single-handedly charged a machine gun emplacement, capturing two machine guns.

Despite being severely wounded during the attack, he went on another solo run, silencing more enemy machine guns. He was also awarded the French Medaille Militaire.

“He never used to talk about what he did. He said it just had to be done. He didn’t think about it at the time. I don’t know how he did it.”

“He’s the best man I’ve ever met,” added Keith.

The replacement plaque was paid for by county councillor for Worksop East Glynn Gilfoyle.

He said: “He was a shining example to Worksop and the whole of Bassetlaw.”

“The courage he had to muster to do what he did is an example of the close-knit mining community in Worksop of that time.”

Chairman of Bassetlaw Council Ian Campbell said: “He was a Worksop lad and he provides us with a real connection to the heroic acts of individual men and women.”

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