Brass plaque tribute to war hero is stolen

Police say they believe offenders took the plaque from Worksop Memorial Park with the intention to sell it for scrap – however, they would only get £10 in return.

The plaque honours William Henry Johnson, who was born in Worksop in 1890 and served with the Sherwood Foresters.

On October 3 1918, at Ramicourt in France, Sergeant Johnson single-handedly charged a machine gun emplacement, capturing two of the machine guns.

Despite being severely wounded he went on to make another solo attack. Sergeant Johnson died in April 1945.

PC Mario Wiznycia said: “This theft is such a disrespectful act.

“The plaque is priceless, being of great sentimental value to Sergeant Johnson’s family and the wider community of Worksop.”

The plaque was stolen between 4pm on Thursday, January 19 and 9am on Friday, January 20.