Residents of Kings Langley turned out to commemorate the life of Private Cox, a stretcher bearer in the First World War, at a service and parade on Sunday.

Cox was awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour near Achiet-le-Grand, France, in March 1917.

A plaque now stands in All Saints Church in memory of the man who brought honour to Kings Langley when he rescued a number of wounded men from the battlefield with "absolute disregard for his own personal safety."

It was unveiled at Sunday's ceremony, that Mr Cox's sons Ian and Norman attended, just before 250 people took to Kings Langley High Street in a parade to mark the occasion.

Historian Mary Hallet's book, Without Hesitation, has kept Mr Cox's story alive and Kings Langley Parish Council were inspired to commemorate Pte Cox's life themselves after receiving an email from Phillipe Drouin, Vice President of the Somme Remembrance Association.

Mr Drouin, a resident of Achiet-le-Grand, said he wanted to honour Cox for the role he played in liberating his village.

Councillor Gerry Angiolini said: "Christopher Cox demonstrated breath-taking courage in the most dire of circumstances.

"It is so important that we continue to remember it in whatever way we can."

In March this year a memorial plaque was unveiled by Ian Cox at a location near the French village where the VC medal was earned.

It is hoped to be the first of many links between Kings Langley and Achiet-le-Grand.

Cllr Angiolini added: "In addition to the memorials, Kings Langley and Achiet-le-Grand are considering a formal twinning."

Christopher Cox was born in Kings Langley on Christmas day 1889 and married in the village in 1912.

He enlisted in the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in September 1914 and left for France the following July.

In 1917 he became part of the advance that pursued the retreating German army around Achiet-le-Grand.

According to the Army transcript from March 15, Pte Cox, apparently oblivious to the exploding shells around him, continued his duty
as stretcher bearer.

It read: "Private Cox, with absolute disregard for his own personal safety went out into the open over absolutely fire swept ground and single handedly rescued four men.

"Having collected all the wounded from his battalion he assisted in bringing in the wounded of the neighbouring battalion."

He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V in July 1917 at Buckingham Palace.

At the time he said: "I was only doing what any British soldier would have done."