AN ADOPTED son of Rhyl, Sgt Harry Weale, won the Victoria Cross in a gallant action on the Western Front 100 years ago last weekend.

Sgt Weale’s remains are buried in Rhyl.

On August 26, 1918 at Bazentin-le-Grand, north east of Amiens, when the advance of the adjacent battalion was held up by enemy machine-guns, then a Lance Corporal, Harry was ordered to deal with them.

When his Lewis light machine gun failed him, on his own initiative, he rushed the nearest machine gun post and killed the crew, then went for the others, the crews of which fled on his approach. His dashing action cleared the way for the advance, inspired his comrades and resulted in the capture of all the machine-guns.

The action took place during the Allied counter offensive after the failure of the German spring offensive.

Henry Weale, known as Harry, was born on October 2, 1897 at Ninehouses on Brook Road in Shotton, Flintshire, North Wales. Harry left school aged 14 and went to work at John Summers Steelworks. For the Great War he enlisted with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Harry died on January 13, 1959 in Rhyl and was buried with full military honours at Rhyl Cemetery.

After demobilisation Harry returned home to Shotton. When he stepped off the train he was met with a hero’s welcome from crowds who had gathered from miles around. He was presented with an illuminated address by the headteacher of his former primary school, St Ethelwold’s. It read: “The parish is proud to know that one of its own boys has won, by deed of valour, the highest distinction which a British soldier can win.”

Harry received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on St David’s Day, 1919. The Management at John Summers were so impressed with Harry’s bravery they presented him with a gold hunter pocket watch.

In June 1919 Harry married Susie Harrison of Rhyl, and the couple moved to the town. Harry like many of his generation found it difficult to adapt to civilian life after service in the army.

Harry went from a hero, invited to receptions at Buckingham Palace, to a council worker. Susie’s mother was in poor health and Harry was forced to sell his John Summers gold watch to make ends meet.

Harry and Susie had three sons and a daughter. Perhaps one of the most touching tales of Harry’s life was that his former employer John Summers tracked down and bought the gold watch he was forced to part with. The firm returned the timepiece to his nephew in the 60s, and it remains with the family to this day.

Sgt Weale’s medals are held by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon Castle.