On Thursday 4th October a commemorative paving stone for Lance Corporal William Harold Coltman VC, DCM and Bar, MM and Bar and MID was unveiled on Stapenhill Gardens.
The paving stone, supplied by central government, commemorates William Coltman who was the recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions during World War I. By the end of the conflict in 1918 William Coltman had become the most highly decorated ‘Other Rank’ soldier in the British Army, a position he still holds today. The commemorative paving stone was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the action for which the VC was awarded.
Following consultation with the Coltman family, Stapenhill Gardens was decided upon as the location for the stone as William Coltman worked there when he returned home after the War.
The event, coordinated by East Staffordshire Borough Council with support from the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, was opened by the Mayor of East Councillor Chris Smith, Mayor of East Staffordshire, included the reading of the citation for Coltman’s VC and the military action that led to the award.
Members of the Coltman family, including William Coltman’s grandchildren, were then invited to unveil the stone.
Guests at the event included serving members of the Mercian Regiment and Defence Medical Services as well as other military representatives. Pte Derby and C/Sgt Watchman V, the mascots for both the Mercian and Staffordshire Regiments respectively, were also in attendance.
William Coltman’s original Victoria Cross medal was also on display during the event.