Victoria Cross: Rarest of gallantry medals to share stories of Yorkshire's war heroes
Calderdale Museums is giving visitors a rare opportunity to see its Victoria Cross collection.
The VC is the highest award for gallantry offered by the British Army and Calderdale Museums has four in its collection.
They were all awarded to soldiers from West Yorkshire and are being shown on Thursday at Bankfield Museum, Halifax.
The event marks the 170th anniversary of the medal's founding, with a special VC Day planned to honour the men who were awarded them.
Usually, it is copies of the medals that are shown in public but visitors will be able to hold the originals and hear about the recipients’ stories.
There is Private Arthur Poulter, a stretcher bearer who, despite heavy shellfire that buried him alive at one point, carried 10 men on his back to safety in war.
Private James Bergin was awarded a VC for "conspicuous gallantry" as he evaded attack to save those under fire.
Lt Henry Kelly is recognised for carrying his own company sergeant-major to safety.
There was also a VC for Sgt Hanson Victor Turner, left, who died after single-handedly attacking Japanese positions with grenades to save his platoon.
Eli Dawson, curator at Calderdale Museums, said: “The VC was only ever awarded for really going above and beyond in the call of duty.
“There were only about 1,300 or so ever awarded, over 170 years and both world wars. And if we look at the citations, it's just incredible stories of bravery.
“"There are incredible accounts of selflessness, of courage and disregard for danger. All are going to be celebrated, but these four are all from Halifax, Leeds or West Yorkshire, so local men.