Appeal launched to find relatives of local First World War heroes

An appeal has been launched to trace relatives of two of the city’s most decorated First World War heroes.

The city council is appealing for help to find people related to John Rhodes and Ernest Egerton – ahead of special commemorative events this November.

Lance-Sergeant John Harold Rhodes, of Packmoor is the most highly decorated non-commissioned officer in the history of the Grenadier Guards. He was awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest military award for gallantry - for single handedly storming an enemy pillbox and capturing nine prisoners in Houthulst Forest, Belgium, during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917.

Ernest Albert Egerton, born in Longton, also received the Victoria Cross at the age of just 20 for “conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty” also during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Both men are among only three recipients of the Victoria Cross from Stoke-on-Trent.

The city council is now hoping locate any living relatives of both men in advance of commemorative events to be held later this year as part of the Centenary.

The appeal follows a successful search for relatives of Stoke-on-Trent’s third Victoria Cross recipient, Second World War hero Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield.

The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “As a veteran, it’s incredibly important to me that we honour the legacy of the city’s war heroes.

“These men showed extraordinary courage in the face of some of worst conflicts in history. It would be an honour to welcome their relatives to the commemorative events later this year so do please get in touch if you have any information.”

The events in November are expected to include an expanded exhibition in the Spitfire Gallery at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery featuring items gifted to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum by Jack Baskeyfield’s family and an Act of Remembrance at the Jack Baskeyfield memorial at Festival Park. 

Anyone with information can email sot100@stoke.gov.uk.