Blue plaque unveiled for World War One hero
BBCA blue plaque has been unveiled in Leek to commemorate a First World War soldier described as the town's most highly decorated serviceman.
Major Fred Davenport was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross for bravery during the war.
The DSO is one of the UK's highest military decorations for gallantry, below the Victoria Cross in precedence.
Major Davenport was born in West Street in Leek in 1873 and died in action at Passchendaele in Belgium in 1917.
He had been head of the Wardle & Davenport silk manufacturers in the town before serving in the First World War.
The plaque at Major Davenport's birthplace was organised by local historian Neil Collingwood.
He said one of the soldier's bravest acts was when he was withdrawing his men from the front line under heavy German fire and a shell landed in their gun emplacement, starting a fire.
"Without a second thought, Major Fred ran back to the gun pit together with a small group of brave men and put out the fire, preventing a huge explosion," Collingwood said.
Major Davenport's great-granddaughter Annabel Hayward attended the unveiling, and said the family had decided to donate a collection of items that belonged to the soldier to the museum in Leek including medals, his death penny, a telegram from the King, letters, clippings, belt buckles and a cigarette case.
"We felt that the museum at Leek should have them for other people to enjoy," she said.
Hayward said she had been surprised by the response to the plaque: "I'm amazed how proud I've felt."
"Everyone turned out to welcome us and to pay homage to my great grandfather," she added. "We grew up knowing he was a brave man so it's a wonderful tribute."
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