A financial planning firm marked the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice with a private viewing of an exhibition which commemorates a Hitchin soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Lyndhurst Financial Management invited the clients of its Hitchin office to the private event at the British Schools Museum to view the medal which was awarded to Hitchin hero Frank Young, along with the other displays in place as part of its Great War exhibition.
Second Lieutenant Frank Young was one of only two men in the Hertfordshire Regiment to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Lyndhurt’s development director Geoff Newman said: “We wanted to thank our clients with an evening event, and decided to host it at the British Schools Museum because we are one of their sponsors and it gave us the opportunity to hand over our cheque.
“We timed the event to coincide with the museum’s exhibition about the First World War and the centenary commemorations.
“It was a great achievement of the museum to obtain one of only two Victoria Crosses that were awarded to men from Herts during the war.
“Frank Young was decorated with several medals and he was obviously an exceptionally brave and noble soldier. By the time he died he was a second Lieutenant and a great leader of his men.
“Our clients were fascinated by the exhibition and they also toured the museum. They saw its unique Victorian classrooms and learned about the great educational pioneer Joseph Lancaster, who set up schools for the poor – the location of the British Schools Museum being the only one remaining.
“They also got to walk through a very realistic First World War trench, which has been part of a Great War exhibition at the museum all year.
“It was an honour to commemorate those who gave their lives by fighting for their country and I think everyone who attended our event was very moved by what they saw and heard.
‘Devotion to Duty – Frank Young VC’ – is on display at the British Schools Museum in Queen Street until December 1.
The exhibition will be open from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm to 5pm on Sundays.
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