A Nottinghamshire road has been named after a solider who won the Victoria Cross at the battle of Passchendaele.
Sgt Robert Bye was given the honour exactly 100 years ago on Monday (July 31) for storming German positions on the first day of the battle.
Passchendaele went on to become one of the bloodiest periods of the First World War, lasting three months. Half a million Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing.
Sgt Bye’s company fought through fierce machine gun fire to overrun fortified German positions and capture enemy soldiers.
Born Pontypridd, Wales, he moved to Warsop after the war in 1925. On Sunday members of the Royal British Legion held a ceremony to re-name the town’s inner relief road after him.
High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire Colonel David Sneath, who unveiled the road sign, said: “He was just 27 when he won the Victoria Cross and it was a truly remarkable feat of bravery.”
Known for his modesty by surviving relatives, when asked about receiving the UK’s highest service honour Sgt Bye is said to have replied:”I am proud of the honour conferred upon me, but I only went to France to do what millions of others are doing my duty.
“In honouring me you are honouring me, you are honouring my comrades out in France for they all did well that day.”
After the war he worked at Warsop and Welbeck collieries and was also a temporary constable at Mansfield Police Station. Sgy Bye’s surviving daughter Mary Moody still lives locally.
Sgt Bye died in Warop in August 1962 aged 72 and was buried in Warsop cemetery with full military honours.
Events are also being held in Pontypridd on Monday and a service in Belgium has also been held marking the start of the battle.
The road’s re-dedication follows a project by surviving relatives, the Royal British Legion and local campaigner Adrian Hardy.
