SOMERSET NEWS: First World War hero remembered – Lest We Forget

THE life of heroic former Somerset policeman Wilfred Dolby Fuller, who received the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the First World War, was celebrated earlier today (Sunday, March 15, 2015).

Police officers joined the Grenadier Guards at a remembrance service at Christchurch, Frome, to mark the 100-year anniversary of when Wilfred stormed a trench and single-handedly took 50 German prisoners.

The service was held in collaboration with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the extended family of Wilfred, Royal British Legion, Christchurch, National Association of Retired Police Officers, The Grenadier Guards Association and the ex-service community of Somerset.

Serving members of the Grenadier Guards and police mounted officers were in ceremonial dress. The Constabulary Mace was carried by a guard of honour and there was ceremonial drumming by the guardsmen attending.

After the service there was a gathering around Wilfred’s grave and wreaths laid by the family, British Legion, NARPO, and Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss.

Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss said: “I was delighted to be part of such a momentous occasion and to mark the bravery of a former officer.”

The story of Wilfred’s act of bravery on March 12, 1915, is something straight out of Boy’s Own. During the battle of Neuve Chappelle in France he saw a party of the enemy escaping along a communication trench.

He ran towards them and killed the leading man with a bomb. The remaining men, nearly 50 of them, surrendered to him. Wilfred was completely on his own as he took the prisoners.

PHOTO – TOP: Fighting amid the ruins of the village of Neuve Chapelle.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Victoria Cross recipient Wilfred Fuller is pictured back row third from right.

In addition to the celebrations locally today, a group of police officers self-funded a trip to Neuve Chapelle last month. They visited the site of Wilfred Fuller’s act of bravery and laid a wreath at the Le Touret Memorial to missing soldiers on behalf of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Trip organiser PC Lee Giles said: “I feel strongly that the memory of our forebears and their achievements during this conflict is kept alive.

“I believe that it is important to commemorate Wilfred Fuller’s VC action as he became a Somerset police officer after leaving the Army.

“This is the 100-year anniversary of his bravery and it is fitting that we mark this occasion.”

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle took place from March 10-13, 1915. It was a British offensive in the Artois region of France and broke through Neuve-Chapelle, but the British were unable to exploit their early success.

Around 40,000 Allied troops took part in the battle and suffered 7,000 British and 4,200 Indian casualties. German casualties amounted to around 10,000.

Wilfred was one of ten servicemen to receive the Victoria Cross for their actions during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

PHOTO - RIGHT: A Victoria Cross.

Major Grant Baker, Regimental Adjutant of Grenadier Guards, said: “I was delighted to hear that the outstanding courage of Wilfred Fuller was being commemorated 100 years after the event.

“Since its inception, 14 members of the Regiment have been decorated with the Victoria Cross, most recently a posthumous award to Lance Corporal James Ashworth for his exceptional bravery in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on June 13, 2012.

“I was also very pleased that a Drummer and two Guardsmen from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards took part in this celebration of Wilfred Fuller’s life.”

Wilfred was a Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and was presented with his VC by King George V at Bucingham Palace.

At the end of the First World War, Wilfred married a nurse and moved to Somerset. He joined the police force and served as a policeman until he retired in 1937 due to poor health.

He was born in East Kirby, Greasley, Nottinghamshire, on July 28, 1893, and died in 1947 and was buried in Christchurch, Frome.

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