It is quite a story how John Smith, a shoemakers son from a small Derbyshire village came to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour. Relatives of this great man gathered in the grounds of Ticknall Village Hall yesterday to see the plaque unveiled by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mr. Willaim Tucker. John Smiths citation reads “For conspicuous gallantry in conjunction with Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, in the performance of the desperate duty of blowing in the Cashmere Gate of the fortress of Delhi in broad daylight, under heavy and destructive fire of musketry, on the morning of the 14th September 1857, preparatory to the assault.”

Only 1356 Victoria Crosses have been awarded, I am honoured to have been able to create this memorial plaque to commemorate the achievement. It is carved from Welsh Slate and contain a carved replica Victoria Cross.