Memorial Plaque for Sgt John Smith VC Unveiled

15 September 20154 July 2018 Bryan Smith

The band played and church bells rang out on Sunday, 18 May 2014 in honour of one of Ticknalls best known sons Sgt. John Smith VC. Ticknall Parish Council hosted an event to unveil a plaque in honour of Sgt. John Smith VC of the Bengal Sappers & Miners.

The plaque is the only one in Derbyshire to honour Sgt. John Smith VC.

Her Majesty the Queen was represented by William Tucker, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire who unveiled the plaque which is mounted on the South wall of the Ticknall Village Hall. It was a glorious occasion held in the village hall grounds. Afterwards we enjoyed afternoon tea in the village hall.

The Melbourne Town Band played some military music beforehand, and St. George’s church bell ringers rang the bells afterwards.

It was a very formal occasion which was attended by distinguished guests including Councillor Pat Murray Vice Chair of SDDC and his wife, David Coleman the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Heather Wheeler MP, Lt Col J. Coulson Bengal Sappers and Miners (Retired), Col Mike Reynolds RE (Retired), and Alison Wood the great, great, great niece of John Smith VC.

We were so pleased to see that many local people were in attendance to witness this very important day in Ticknall’s history, which was to honour a local Shoemaker’s son, a very brave man who through his gallantry in India was awarded the Victoria Cross.