Barking’s VC hero Job Drain to receive commemorative stone
Job Drain's Victoria Cross will be commemorated with a new stone - Credit: Archant
First World War hero Job Drain will be remembered with a commemorative paving stone outside the Broadway Theatre next month.
Remembrance ceremony at the statue of WWI hero Job Drain. - Credit: Archant
The stone is part of a plan by the Department for Communities and Local Government to honour the recipients of the Victoria Cross, the greatest military honour to be awarded.
Each stone is intended to be laid on the 100th anniversary of the action for which the VC was awarded.
Job Drain won his medal at the Battle of Le Cateau on August 26, 1914, when he was just 19.
Then holding the rank of Driver, he rescued an artillery gun while coming under heavy shell and rifle fire from the advancing German army.
He lived in Barking until his death in 1975, aged 79.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: “These paving stones will ensure that there is a permanent memorial to all the fallen soldiers across the country and will enable local communities to connect with this important piece of their shared history.”
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The stone, which will be laid by the memorial statue on August 26, was designed as part of a nationwide competition.
Charlie MacKeith’s circular design will incorporate an electronic reader which can be scanned with a smartphone to learn more about the recipient.
Read more:
Barking war memorial undergoes £6,000 refurbishment for First World War centenary
