Achiet-le-Grand during WW1
When I started my research, I discovered that a stretcher bearer named Christopher Cox gained a VC during the advance to Bihucourt when the 7th Bedford regiment was facing south Achiet-le-Grand in March 1917.
Later, I was in touch with a man "Martin Deacon" who inspired me to build the project for Christopher.Martin researched on the 7th Bedfords and has written " The shiny Seventh "
Martin Deacon Bedfordshire& Luton Archives
The Star CrossRoads
A great web site, I have to mention here is The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War owned by Steve Fuller who has done an incredible job researching the Bedfords. www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
I contacted Kings Langley Parish Council, the councillor Gery Angiolini realised that Christopher was not commemorated in the town" Helmeltoday the Gazette", Kings Langley Parish Council decided to join the project and agreed financial help to the Somme Remembrance association to build the memorial
( Kings Langley financed the plaque and the information panel ).
Kings Langley Parish Council also decided to commemorate Christopher Cox VC in All St church on the 9 th September 2006.
During the pals March in summer 2006 for the 90th anniversary of the battle of the Somme, I met two men from Ampthill. when they returned to England, they decided to join with a team of builders and to come to France to erect the memorial dedicated to Christopher Cox with Bedford's bricks.
Builders in France
The builders at work
The bravery of Cox and also the memory of his comrade who lost their life needed to be commemorate in France. its Memorial was unveiled on the 90th anniversary of the battle at the Star crossroads on the 17th March 2007.
If you come to Achiet-le-Grand from Bapaume road, a sign indicates the road to follow at the Chemist.
Kings Langley local history & museum society
Kings Langley War Hero Honoured
Source : western front bulletin