The Fusilier Museum in Bury has launched an appeal to bring home a prestigious honour posthumously awarded to a brave Lancashire Fusiliers soldier.

Lieutenant Colonel Bertram Best-Dunkley, from York, died in Belgium in 1917, aged 27, during the First World War.

Following his death, he was awarded Britain's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion during the Battle of Passchendaele.

The London Gazette reported: “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion, the leading waves of which, during an attack, became disorganised by reason of rifle and machine gun fire at close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands.

“Lt.-Col. Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his leading waves, and personally led them to the assault of these positions, which, despite heavy losses, were carried.

“He continued to lead his battalion until all their objectives had been gained.

“Had it not been for this officer's gallant and determined action it is doubtful if the left of the brigade would have reached its objectives.

“Later in the day, when our position was threatened, he collected his battalion headquarters, led them to the attack, and beat off the advancing enemy.

“This gallant officer has since died of wounds.”

Back in 2018, the Fusilier Museum produced a special exhibition called "18 for 18" to commemorate the end of the First World War and the 18 Lancashire Fusiliers who were awarded Victoria Crosses.

A total of 17 of the 18 medals were found and put on display as part of the exhibition but one medal, belonging to LTC Best-Dunkley disappeared and despite an extensive international search to find it, attempts were unsuccessful.

However, last week the museum received a message from the auction house Spinks, which said the medal had been located and was in private ownership in the UK.

The owners have put the medal up for sale and it will be sold at auction on Thursday, November 24.

A museum spokesman said: “We would love to be able to purchase the medal so we can bring it home to where it belongs but sadly with a guide price of £240K we simply can’t afford it.

“We are looking at other funding steams but in the meantime we have set up a fundraising campaign to try and raise some money to go towards its purchase.

“We are a long way off at the moment, but every little amount counts and could help us bring the medal home!”

To make a donation, click here.

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