Ten Heroes, One City at War – Saturday March 21st at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery 

The One Thousand Trades Group is the principal sponsor of an event to honour the legacy of the 10 Birmingham men awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War, it was confirmed today.

The Ten Heroes, One City at War gala dinner and VIP reception, taking place on Saturday, March 21, is being staged by the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) charity, which supports military veterans and their families in times of need. Proceeds will support the ABF’s ongoing work. 

The event at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will honour the 10 men’s extraordinary bravery while shining a light on Birmingham’s wartime role, including the museum’s service as the Number 11 Recruitment Office from 1914 to 1918, which led to the formation of three City Battalions within the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Immense bravery while under enemy fire at Laventie

Among the 10 heroes being remembered is Corporal Alfred Wilcox, 33, from Aston in Birmingham, of 2/4th Battalion of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who displayed immense bravery while under enemy fire at Laventie, France, in 1918.

Directing his men under enemy fire at the Battle of Delville Wood

Another is Sergeant Albert Gill, 36, from Selly Park, Birmingham, of 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was killed while directing his men under enemy fire at the Battle of Delville Wood on the Somme, France, in 1916.

‘A moment of sadness, pride and celebration’ 

Professor Paul Cadman, CEO of the One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG), said: “The Ten Heroes, One City at War event will be a moment of sadness, pride and celebration that we are pleased to support, along with the life-changing work of the Army Benevolent Fund.

“At the OTTG, we are actively involved in supporting our Armed Forces, including as they transition out of service into civilian life. As a group, we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, Britain’s national promise to support both retired and currently serving military personnel.

‘They are the best of us’

“The men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, our country are the best of us – selfless, courageous and boundlessly competent. They deserve our honour and respect.”

Graham Whitehouse, the Army Benevolent Fund’s regional director for the West Midlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with the One Thousand Trades Group as the Headline Sponsor for the Army Benevolent Fund’s major event, Ten Heroes, One City at War. 

‘The relentless skill and industry of this region’

“Their name is a powerful reflection of Birmingham’s proud heritage as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ that, during wartime, not only produced men and women of incredible grit, strength and heroism, but produced the ammunition, uniforms, weapons, vehicles and even horseshoes that equipped our forces. Without the relentless skill and industry of this region, victory may not have been possible.

“This partnership feels deeply meaningful. Together, we are honouring the city’s legacy of craftsmanship, its spirit of service and the extraordinary bravery of the 10 Birmingham men awarded the Victoria Cross. It is a privilege to stand alongside One Thousand Trades Group in supporting the Army Benevolent Fund and the soldiers, veterans, and families who inspire us all.”