To commemorate the centenary of World
War I, we’d like to raise £500 to create a replica of Henry Tandey’s Victoria
Cross that will serve as a lasting legacy of his outstanding bravery.
Henry Tandey, the most decorated
private of the First World War, was born in Leamington Spa in 1891. One of just 1,354 recipients of the Victoria
Cross, the highest honour awarded to British and Commonwealth forces for gallantry in the face of the enemy, Tandey was also granted
the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, as well as receiving
five mentions in dispatches and three wound stripes in an illustrious military career.
Indeed, such was the frequency of his feats of heroism, on one occasion he was told by a senior officer that his
bravery could not be adequately rewarded because he had already received all
the gallantry medals available.
While a blue plaque commemorates Tandey’s birthplace in
Leamington Spa, currently there is no dedicated recognition of Tandey’s
outstanding bravery during some of the bloodiest and most hard fought battles
of the Great War. The team at Henry Ison & Sons would like to rectify this
by creating a replica of Tandey’s Victoria Cross to be donated to the town and
put on public display.
What We Aim to Do
To produce the replica Victoria Cross, we have had to seek permission
from The Green Howards Regimental Museum in Yorkshire, which currently holds
Tandey’s original medal. If the campaign is successful, we will commission Hancock’s
of London, who have produced Victoria Cross medals since 1856, to produce the special
commemorative medal.
Once
the medal is produced, we plan to hold a service of dedication in a local
church before handing the medal over to the town. It is hoped that the replica medal can then be displayed at the Leamington
Spa Art Gallery and Museum alongside the Freedom of the Borough scrolls and
casket awarded to Tandey a year after the war ended.
Why Are We Launching This Campaign?
Each year our team undertakes a number of community activities around Remembrance
Sunday. With 2014 marking 100 years since the start of the First World War, we
wanted to do something that would really commemorate Leamington Spa’s war effort.
When we realised that there was nothing in place to mark the
contribution of one of the UK’s most decorated soldiers, we knew we had to act.
While our campaign will centre on Henry Tandey, our hope is that by creating a
lasting local legacy, we will help future generations remember the people from our
town that sacrificed so much.
Risks and Challenges
What if you can’t get
permission to create the medal?
We have already spoken to the Green Howards Regimental
Museum and have received their permission to create the medal. Hancock’s of
London, who have produced Victoria Cross medals since 1856, have agreed to
create the replica if we reach our funding goals.
How will you raise awareness
of the campaign?
We aim to raise awareness of the campaign in several ways,
and have already received support from local dignitaries and organisations,
including the Mayor of Leamington Spa and the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum.
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The Henry Ison & Sons team will be present
in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre on Friday 7 November to chat to people
about the campaign and help them to make a donation online.
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We’ve spoken to local newspapers and radio
stations who have agreed to promote the campaign.
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Councillor John Knight, the Mayor of Leamington
Spa, is backing our campaign: “I am delighted to lend my support to the
proposal by Henry Ison & Sons to commission a replica of Henry Tandey’s
Victoria Cross. Henry Tandey is deservedly recognised as one
of the most famous sons of Royal Leamington Spa. It is fitting that there
should be a tangible record of his Victoria Cross on display in the town. I
would urge local townspeople, businesses and other organisations to make
donations to make this most laudable aim a reality.”
Further Information
If you’d like to find out more about the campaign or have
any questions about donating, please call Henry Ison & Sons on 01926 339444,
visit our branch on 2 Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1BB, or
email leamington@henryison.co.uk
