Frederick James Button M.M

Fred was born in Twycross, Leicestershire.  After working as a farm labourer for the wealthy landowner, Viscount Curzon in Buckinghamshire, he moved to Lichfield in 1909.

He enlisted into the Army in 1914 in the 6th Territorial Battalion of the North Staffs Regiment. During WW1 he served at Lens, Vimy, Arras and Thiepval, all major theatres of war.

He was awarded the Military Medal, conferred on soldiers who had ''carried out an act or acts of exemplary bravery during operations against the enemy''. Whenever he was asked about his award, he modestly replied, ''It was for looking after the General's horses''.

During WWll he served in the Red Cross and was one of the first on the scene following the blitz on Coventry. He was awarded the Vol. Medical Services medal and after 25 years he retired in 1966.

Fred, and accomplished bowler, qualified for the later stages of the Mercury Cup City Championship on many occaisions.

Sadly in 1970 he suffered a stroke but continued to meet up with his friends at the green.

The last surviving holder of the Military Medal in Lichfield, a bugler from Whittington Barracks played the ''Last Post'' at his funeral.