Plaque unveiled for hero

A plaque to honour a 19th Century military hero has been unveiled by his great-grandson.

The ceremony took place 150 years after the London Gazette announced that Private Samuel Morley had received the Victoria Cross, the nation’s highest military honour.

The plaque was unveiled at Grange Hall, Radcliffe, during an event, organised by the parish council, dedicated to heroes.

Around 800 people went along, despite the rain. Those taking part included the police, fire and ambulance services, Radcliffe Heart Start group and the RSPCA.

The plaque unveiling was attended by Private Morley’s great-grandson, Mr John Morley, 66, of Beeston, his wife, Sheila, daughters, Miss Laura Morley and Mrs Karen Morley-Bland, and granddaughter, Niamh Morley-Bland.

Also in attendance was the Mayor of Rushcliffe, Mrs Marie Males.

Mr Morley said: “It was quite emotional and a very proud day for the entire family as it’s our history.”

Mr Morley was presented with mementos from the Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee including a scroll containing the 20 names of all the county’s Victoria Cross holders.

He said not a lot was known about his great-grandfather, who was born in Radcliffe in 1829, but he was now trying to trace his family tree.

Private Samuel Morley, who died in 1888, was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny.

While serving at Nathupur in 1858, Private Morley was severely injured while defending his comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, who had been unhorsed and surrounded by the enemy, who started cutting and hacking him.

Despite being unhorsed himself, Private Morley went to his aid along with the regiment’s farrier, Michael Murphy, but neither could save Lieutenant Hamilton, who died the following day.

Radcliffe Parish Council chairman Mr Wally Smith said: “We are very proud that, after 150 years, we have given Private Morley a place of importance within the parish because it is important to recognise our war heroes.”

Mr David Gibbon, 63, of Radcliffe Park, who worked on the plaque project, said the day was a real success.

He said: “There are three other Victoria Cross holders from the area — Mr Harry Beet, of Bingham, Mr William Raynor, of Plumtree, and Mr Francis Wheatley, of Ruddington — and we hope Private Morley’s plaque is going to lead the way for the other parishes to do something similar.

“Samuel Morley is becoming an institution and we are hoping to have three portraits of him completed by the end of the year.

“One will be presented to the Morley family, one will be put on display at the Royal British Legion Hall, Radcliffe, and it is still to be decided where the last will go.”

A CD has been produced to raise money for plaques to honour Victoria Cross recipients.

It will be launched on Saturday at The Trent Hotel, Radcliffe, from 12.30pm until 5.30pm when some of the featured artists will perform.