Why is Kings Langley twinned with Achiet-le-Grand?

Christopher Cox, who was a stretcher bearer during World War One, was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917 for his bravery while serving in France.

His lifelong home, Kings Langley, was twinned with Achiet-le-Grand in 2009, in recognition of his work while serving there in 1917. Today, his family are travelling to France for a ceremony held by the mayor of the commune.

In 2011, Kings Langley Parish Council dedicated a plaque and bench on the corner of Abbots View and Abbots Rise to the soldier, and a memorial was erected in Achiet-le-Grand in 2007.

Mr Cox, who died in 1959, risked his own life to rescue several soldiers and took part in an attack on German defences in the Battle of the Somme.

Despite being wounded during the battle, Mr Cox recovered and served a second winter at the front.

In March 1917, he and the seventh Battalion of the Bedfordshire regiment fought on the outskirts of Achiet-le-Grand, in pursuit of German forces. It was his bravery here that won him the Victoria Cross.  

Greg Hill, a historian from Croxley Green, said: “During the attack of his battalion the front wave was checked by the severity of the enemy artillery and machine-gun fire, and the whole line had to take cover in shell-holes to avoid annihilation.

“Private Cox, utterly regardless of personal safety, went out over fire-swept ground and single-handedly rescued four men.

“Having collected the wounded of his own battalion, he then helped the wounded of an adjoining battalion.

“On the two subsequent days, he carried out similar rescue work with the same disregard for his own safety. He has on all occasions displayed the same example of unselfishness and valour.”

Weeks after being awarded the VC, Mr Cox was shot in the foot and returned to Britain. His wounds left him unfit for service and he took up a training role.

The father-of-eight died at home at the age of 69, and was buried in All Saints’ cemetery.

His VC medal is on loan to the Imperial War Museum in London.