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from Manchester
Evening News Wednesday 8 November 2000
Tribute to a modest
hero
Grandson wins fight to
honour old soldier
BY MIKAELA SITFORD
 WAR hero Harry
Grantham used to Joke to his grandchildren that his vast array of medals
were for "being the best boozer" in local pubs.
In fact, Harry had
done his country proud in two world wars and his collection included
the Distinguished Conduct Medal for a reconnaissance mission behind enemy
lines.
Now, 85 years on, his
grandson Joe Grantham has won proper recognition for the brave old soldier
by unveiling a blue plaque outside the Territorial Army centre in Ashton.
Joe, from Dukinfield, said: "I don’t think he would have minded
really.
I am very proud of him. I am
50 years old and I have never
been shot at or even seen
friendly fire. When Harry was 50 it was 1939 and
he was facing his second world
war."
Harry, born in
Ashton in 1889, enlisted in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Manchester
Regiment at the tender age of 17. By 20, he had been promoted to Lance-CorporaL
His impressive military
career saw him fight In Egypt, France and Gallipoli, even
after his neck was grazed by a bullet, winning promotions and 11 medals.
He was awarded an
MBE for his long service to the Territorial Army after retiring as
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant for the 9th Battalion in 1943.
But Harry’s
amazing military success was tempered with humanity. When he won the
Distinguished Conduct Medal with a reconnaissance of the enemy’s trenches
in 1915. he saved his comrades in the lower ranks
from taking the risk.
Joe said: "The
battalion had all been recruited together in Ash-ton so these were all
lads he knew from home. He knew he was the only single bloke, so he did it
instead."
Joe spent two years
campaigning for Harry’s plaque after talking it through with his father,
Joe senior, before he died.
He said "I want
everyone to know what he and all the others did for us. We must never
forget"
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