WREATHS were laid to remember a distinguished major who earned a Victoria Cross aged just 26.

Major Frank Roberts was remembered at Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park on Friday for services to the Worcestershire Regiment organised by Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association Worcester Branch.

A citation read out on the day said: “By the On March 1918 the 1st battalion commanded by Acting Lt Colonel Roberts were spread out along the River Somme in a series of posts.

“That night whilst inspecting his posts, Colonel Roberts found that the Germans had crossed the river and captured the village of Pargny.

“He decided on instant counter-attack and collected every man of Battalion Headquarters, forty-five in all.

“Luckily there were no German outposts and the Colonel was able to lead his little force right up to the village.

“Two flanking parties of ten men each worked along the outskirts of the village and he led the rest up the main street with bayonets fixed.

“They were soon observed and they charged at full tilt firing, stabbing and cheering as the enemy poured out of the houses.

“There was a fierce fight at the churchyard but the rest of the Germans either surrendered or retreated to the bridge.

“Then Colonel Roberts charged the crowded bridge and cleared it.

“Apart from the capture of six machine guns and twenty prisoners about a hundred of the enemy were killed and the Germans were driven back across the river.

“It was a striking success due to the rapidity and baldness of the attacking force.”

Colonel Roberts was awarded the Victoria Cross and on other occasions the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and the Order of the British Empire.

He won his VC aged 26 and later achieved the rank of Major General. He died in 1982. His VC is on display at the Regimental Museum, in the City Museum, Foregate Street.