A CELBRATION of the life of a heroic Somerset policeman has been held today, Sunday, March 15.

Serving police officers joined Grenadier guards to honour Wilfred Dolby Fuller VC at a special service to mark the 100th anniversary of his bravery.

He stormed a trench and single-handedly took 50 German prisoners during the First World War.

His daring deed was recalled at the service in Christchurch, Frome, today.

Serving members of the Grenadier Guards and mounted police officers were in ceremonial dress, while the constabulary mace was carried by a guard of honour and there was ceremonial drumming by the guardsmen attending.

After the service there was a gathering around Wilfred’s grave and wreaths laid by the family, British Legion, the National Association of Retired Police Officers and Avon and Somerset's Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss.

Assistant Chief Constable Julian Moss said: “I was delighted to be part of such a momentous occasion and to mark the bravery of a former officer.”

In addition to the celebrations locally, a group of police officers self-funded a trip to Neuve Chapelle, France, last month.

They visited the site of Wilfred Fuller’s act of bravery and laid a wreath at the Le Touret memorial to missing soldiers on behalf of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Trip organiser PC Lee Giles said: “I feel strongly that the memory of our forebears and their achievements during this conflict is kept alive.

"I believe that it is important to commemorate Wilfred Fuller’s VC action as he became a Somerset police officer after leaving the Army.

“This is the 100-year anniversary of his bravery and it is fitting that we mark this occasion.”

Major Grant Baker, Regimental Adjutant, Grenadier Guards, said: “I am delighted to hear that the outstanding courage of Lance Corporal Wilfred Fuller is being commemorated 100 years after the event.

"Since its inception, 14 members of the Regiment have been decorated with the Victoria Cross, most recently a posthumous award to Lance Corporal James Ashworth for his exceptional bravery in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in June 2012."

 

WHO WAS WILFRED DOLBY FULLER?

•Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

•Awarded a Victoria Cross on June 4, 1915 for conspicuous bravery.

•Received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace.

•During the battle of Neuve Chappelle on March 12, 1915, seeing a party of the enemy escaping along a communication trench, he ran towards them and killed the leading man with a bomb. The remaining men, nearly 50 of them, surrendered to him. Fuller was quite alone at the time.

•At the end of the First World War, he married a nurse and moved to Somerset.

•He joined the police force and was part of Somerset Police until he retired in 1937 due to poor health.

•He was born in East Kirby, Greasley, Nottinghamshire, July 28, 1893.

•He died in 1947 and was buried in Christchurch, Frome.