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War hero honoured at Parliament remembrance garden

John Healey John Healey, wearing a suit, is planting a cross with a red poppy on it into the grass. Around him are many similar crosses, planted by other people.John Healey
John Healey MP dedicated a cross to Sgt Laurence Calvert from Conisbrough

A war hero whose act of bravery saved his battalion during World War One has had a remembrance cross planted in his honour.

Sgt Laurence Calvert, who lived in Conisbrough near Doncaster, was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 after he single-handedly captured two machine guns and killed their crews in the Battle of Havrincourt.

John Healey, MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, dedicated a memorial to Sgt Calvert at the Gardens of Remembrance at the House of Commons.

"We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the UK and our allies," Mr Healey said.

Grainy black and white photo shows a young man with a neat moustache wearing a military cap and uniform.
Sgt Calvert worked as a miner before joining the Territorial Force

Sgt Calvert was born in Leeds in 1892 and moved to Conisbrough in 1910.

He worked as a miner before he enlisted in the Territorial Force in 1914, shortly before the outbreak of WW1.

He was sent to fight in France and Belgium.

On 12 September 1918, during the Battle of Havrincourt, his battalion were pinned down by a team of German machine gunners.

He advanced alone to kill all seven men in the crew and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

After the war, he continued to serve with the military.

He joined the Home Guard during World War Two but retired because of poor health.

He died in Essex in1964, aged 72.

John Healey A close-up of the cross planted - a piece of paper is taped to it. A handwritten message on the paper reads: "In remembrance of Conisbrough's Sgt Laurence Calvert - awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at the Battle of Havrincourt. 16th Feb 1892. 6th July 1964."John Healey
Mr Healey said the sacrifices of those who served in conflicts must never be forgotten

The remembrance garden, at the main entrance to the Commons, opened in 2021.

Representatives from all 650 parliamentary constituencies have been invited to place a tribute at the site.

On Remembrance Day the garden will be completed with tributes to honour people from across the UK, Crown dependencies, Commonwealth countries and British overseas territories.

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