Video and pictures: Memorial unveiled for Shropshire war hero
A new paving stone in honour of a Victoria Cross hero who died a prisoner of war has been unveiled in his home town of Madeley.
Major Charles Yate, known as Cal, the son of the vicar of Madeley Church, was born in Germany but grew up in Shropshire.
He is among hundreds of hundreds of VC winners to be recognised in a national scheme to mark the achievements of heroes of the First World War.
About 40 residents, civic dignitaries and guests attended the dedication ceremony yesterday in the town square, to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Le Cateau on August 26, 1914, where he earned his VC.
Major Yate fought in the trenches on that day and led 19 other survivors in a charge against the enemy when he was severely wounded. Taken prisoner, he later killed himself after he was caught while trying to escape and was buried in the South Western Cemetery in Berlin.
The commemorative stone was provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government to honour Great War heroes. It has been installed in front of the war memorial in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council.
Members of the Armed Forces including the The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and civic leaders led by the mayor of Telford & Wrekin Councillor Rae Evans were among the guests.
The event featured wreath laying, a reading of Major Yate's VC citation, a blessing of the stone by the Rev Alan Walden, the playing of the Last Post, a two-minute silence and the Reveille.
Madeley Town Council regeneration officer Andy Rose said: "The ceremony went very well. There were about 40 people at the service including a group for Yorkshire where Cal was based. He wasn't with a Shropshire regiment because he was a career soldier and took up the first officers' post that was available to him.
"His VC is kept at the regimental museum in Yorkshire. There are branches of the infantry based down here and standard bearers from Shrewsbury also attended. We've never been able to trace any family for him. His uncle lived at Madeley Hall and had two daughters who we think married and moved abroad in the 1930s."
