John Mon forwarded this news item....
New Bootle Army centre tribute to Southport VC war hero
THE British Army has named its newest training base after a Merseyside First World War hero.
Private Richard George Masters, from Southport, was awarded the highest gallantry award, the Victoria Cross, for his extraordinary actions in saving the lives of nearly 200 soldiers trapped behind enemy lines.
He was attached to the 141st Field Ambulance, in April, 1918, when he volunteered to go behind enemy lines in France to bring out wounded soldiers at a time when it was considered senseless to send forward ambulances.
Working totally unaided, and coming under heavy fire from bullets and bombs, he drove back and forth for many hours to transport the men to safety.
Now, in tribute to the soldier, the Territorial Army Centre in Bootle has been named after him. His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, performed the officially opening ceremony of the RG Masters VC Territorial Army Centre as the 89-year-old nephew of Private Richard George Masters watched on.
John Masters said he felt “very proud” that the centre was being named after his uncle.
The TA centre is built on land provided by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
Retail giant Asda funded the entire cost of the project, which was a condition of it acquiring Bootle’s former TA centre, in Strand Road, to make way for the new Asda superstore.
The RG Masters VC TA centre becomes the new home of 238 (Sefton) Transport Squadron RLC (Volunteers), which has a rich heritage dating back to 1860.
Subject: Hero honoured 
Tue 05 May 2009, 11:23
