Post by ben on Feb 26, 2009 7:19:42 GMT
Are you a proud relative of local VC hero Jock?
Robert Dawson
February 25, 2009
AN APPEAL has been launched to find a relative of Bramhall war hero ‘The Lone Bomber’, so his achievements can be commemorated.
The Bomber - real name Lance-Corporal John Alexander Christie - was awarded the Victoria Cross for ‘conspicuous bravery’ in 1917, but more than 90 years on there is still no lasting Stockport tribute to his heroic actions.
In December 1917, Lance-Corp Christie, known as Jock, found himself alone at Bald Hall, Fejja, in what was then Palestine.
But instead of surrendering to the advancing German soldiers, he ran 50 yards in the open to single-handedly stop the enemy counter-attack, armed only with a handful of bombs.
An article in the London Gazette of February 1918 described Christie as showing ‘the greatest coolness and a total disregard for his own safety’ and his bravery earned him his nickname, The Lone Bomber, as well as the Victoria Cross.
He went on to become a sales manager for a wine merchants after the war, and died in Bramhall on September 10, 1967.
John Evans, of the Royal Green Jackets Association, has campaigned for memorials for winners of the VC for more than 10 years, and insists it is time Jock’s achievement was properly recognised.
John has arranged memorials to be put up in Eccles, Gorton and Bury for three other VC recipients and is now searching for a relative of Lance-Corp Christie to ensure he is given a similar honour.
He said: "There is no memorial for Lance-Corp Christie anywhere in Stockport. There is no plaque or anything and it shouldn’t be like that.
"We have done three before and they have all been very successful. We would like to put a memorial up in Stockport and would like to have a relative unveil it. We always try to track down a relative and would never do anything without their permission. But there should be some sort of commemoration and I’m sure Lance-Corp Christie’s family would be very proud."
Anyone with information about Lance-Corp Christie can contact the newsdesk on 0161 475 4832.
Robert Dawson
February 25, 2009
AN APPEAL has been launched to find a relative of Bramhall war hero ‘The Lone Bomber’, so his achievements can be commemorated.
The Bomber - real name Lance-Corporal John Alexander Christie - was awarded the Victoria Cross for ‘conspicuous bravery’ in 1917, but more than 90 years on there is still no lasting Stockport tribute to his heroic actions.
In December 1917, Lance-Corp Christie, known as Jock, found himself alone at Bald Hall, Fejja, in what was then Palestine.
But instead of surrendering to the advancing German soldiers, he ran 50 yards in the open to single-handedly stop the enemy counter-attack, armed only with a handful of bombs.
An article in the London Gazette of February 1918 described Christie as showing ‘the greatest coolness and a total disregard for his own safety’ and his bravery earned him his nickname, The Lone Bomber, as well as the Victoria Cross.
He went on to become a sales manager for a wine merchants after the war, and died in Bramhall on September 10, 1967.
John Evans, of the Royal Green Jackets Association, has campaigned for memorials for winners of the VC for more than 10 years, and insists it is time Jock’s achievement was properly recognised.
John has arranged memorials to be put up in Eccles, Gorton and Bury for three other VC recipients and is now searching for a relative of Lance-Corp Christie to ensure he is given a similar honour.
He said: "There is no memorial for Lance-Corp Christie anywhere in Stockport. There is no plaque or anything and it shouldn’t be like that.
"We have done three before and they have all been very successful. We would like to put a memorial up in Stockport and would like to have a relative unveil it. We always try to track down a relative and would never do anything without their permission. But there should be some sort of commemoration and I’m sure Lance-Corp Christie’s family would be very proud."
Anyone with information about Lance-Corp Christie can contact the newsdesk on 0161 475 4832.