A courageous Shotton man received the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the First World War. Lance Corporal Henry Weale overcame a German machine gun post and saved many comrades' lives.

Known as Harry, he had worked at the John Summers & Sons steelworks before enlisting in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served at Bazentin-le-Grand on the Somme.

In summer 1918 he was ordered to clear out a German machine-gun post on the Western Front which he did showing great bravery - despite his own gun having failed. He received Britain’s highest gallantry award.

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There was already a memorial garden in Shotton in his honour but now details of his amazing feat are available on a QR code there. It comes after Shotton Town Council teamed up with the HistoryPoints initiative to make his remarkable story available to anyone who passes or visits his memorial garden, by the entrance to Jubilee Street.

QR codes are attached to the edge of one of the flowerbeds at the garden. Scanning the codes with a smartphone connects to a page on the HistoryPoints.org website about Henry.

Councillors Gary Cooper (left) and David Evans at the memorial to Henry Weale VC, with the QR codes in the bottom right corner. Cllr Cooper, of Shotton Town Council, made a donation from his chair's fund.
Councillors Gary Cooper (left) and David Evans at the memorial to Henry Weale VC, with the QR codes in the bottom right corner. Cllr Cooper, of Shotton Town Council, made a donation from his chair's fund.

HistoryPoints researcher Adrian Hughes said: “Henry Weale is rightly commemorated in his home town but as time passes, fewer and fewer residents know about his selfless act of heroism which saved the lives of many comrades and earned him the VC. We’re pleased that our QR codes and information will bring fresh attention to his story.”

* Visit historypoints.org