A guardsman who died days ahead of VE Day was remembered for his heroism when a plaque was revealed in Stretford.
Edward Charlton, a co-driver of a tank in the Irish Guards, died of wounds sustained in Wistedt, Germany, in April 1945.
Guardsman Charlton was recognised at the time with the Victoria Cross, which was received by his family at Buckingham Palace after his death, and last month he was remembered when a plaque was revealed in Stretford.
Trafford Council announced the plan for a plaque as early as April 2020, the 75th anniversary of his death, but it was not revealed at his former family residence on Basford Road until three years later after a postponement.
Born in Gateshead in July 1920, Guardsman Charlton came to the area at the age of five and attended St Hildas Primary School then Old Trafford Boys School. He was in the Armoured Battalion of the Irish Guards during The Second World War.
In April 1945, he was involved in the seizure of Wistedt, Germany, alongside a group of infantry. Under attack by the enemy, he went on the counter-attack on his own initiative.
Guardsman Charlton caused a number of casualties but collapsed from wounds sustained in the village and died in the hands of the enemy in Elsdorf, Germany, later in the day. It was around two weeks before the end of the campaign in Europe.
Unusually, when he was recognised with the Victoria Cross, his citation was based on German accounts rather than British accounts.
The citation reads: "The heroism and determination of this guardsman in his self-imposed task were beyond all praise."
Guardsman Charlton is buried at Becklingen British War Cemetery in Soltau, Germany.
In April 2020, when the council announced the plan for a plaque, Liz Patel, its executive member for culture and leisure at the time, said: "Guardsman Charlton’s story is incredibly humbling and a reminder of the bravery and great sacrifices made by members of his generation for the benefit of the nation.
"We look forward to seeing the plaque in pride of place."
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
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