People are being asked to help find the relatives of a Southport war hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross when he saved the lives of more than 200 lives under enemy fire.
Private Richard George Masters, of the 156 Transport Regiment, carried out his act of huge bravery during the First World War at a place known to the British Army Tommies as ‘Hell Fire Corner’ near Bethune, in France, in 1918.
He went back time and time again to save wounded soldiers despite being targeted by machine gun fire, shelling and bombing from an aircraft.
He is buried at St Cuthbert’s Church Cemetery in Churchtown in Southport.
A charity is eager to make improvements to his gravestone, but can only do so if they can find his relatives and secure permission from them.
Edward Byrne contacted Stand Up For Southport to see if local people can help.
He said: “Hi I am a volunteer with a forces charity called Veterans ln Sefton.
“We are trying to locate relatives of a Victoria Cross recipient called Richard George Masters who is laid to rest in St Cuthbert’s Church Cemetery in Churchtown in Southport.
“We wish to carry out a refurbishment of his grave but cannot do so without permission from his relatives one of whom l believe is a nephew named John Masters
“Does anyone know of any relatives that l can speak to regarding this matter then please reply or email me at eddie.byrne1948@gmail.com”
Private Richard George Masters was 41 years old, and a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) attached to 141st Field Ambulance, when he carried out his courageous rescue on April 9, 1918.
His Victoria Cross was awarded “for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty”.
His citation read: “Owing to an enemy attack, communications were cut off and the wounded could not be evacuated.
“The road was impassable, but Private Masters volunteered to try and get through, and after the greatest difficulty succeeded, although he had to clear the road of debris.
“He made the journey after journey throughout the afternoon, over a road consistently shelled and swept by machine gun fire and was on one occasion bombed by an aeroplane.
“The greater part of the wounded cleared from the area were evacuated by Private Masters, as his was the only vehicle that got through during this particular time.“
It was estimated that he saved over 200 lives of wounded soldiers and the area he drove through was known as ‘Hell Fire Corner‘.
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