Our perfect day was Saturday, the 14th October 2006, the day we unveiled the plaque to Bernard Vann VC. This date had been in my diary since March and as it got nearer I began to read it as "plaque day". There was so much that could go wrong, starting with the weather. Suppose it was raining; could we cope with umbrellas for the invited guests? Supposing I didn't manage to find a near relative to do the actual unveiling? Well, we could ask the representative of the Regiment to do the honours, but it would be more satisfying if I could locate Bernard's grandchild, if he had one. Would the plaque arrive on time? Would it be exactly to our specifications, or would there perhaps be a spelling mistake? I dreamed that it arrived with "Vann" spelled "Van" and the thing had to go back to the manufacturers with no time for a replacement.

We had done so much. Donna, Kay and I had studied three censuses and three maps, the deeds of all the houses in the vicinity, the school log for South End which established the existence of a "School House" lived in by at least three successive Head Masters. Documents, showed that Alfred Vann referred to his home as "The School House", served to prove that such a place existed. (We began by assuming that it had belonged to the Church but found that it was actually owned by Mr Sartoris, of the Hall and was included on the sale of 1929). That we had identified the correct house became certain when we found the 1901 census mentions the "Cons Club" with the Head Master of the time living next door in the house to the south of the Club. Having been shown round the house by the present owner, it was clear that this could have been a suitable house for a School Master.

I contacted Jesus College, Cambridge, Ashby Grammer School, St Barnabas, Leicester and Wellingborough School to trace Bernard's movements before the war. I am grateful for all the help I received.

Detective work and luck found Michael Vann and his family. I knew that Bernard had a son born posthumously, who had died in 1994 but had no idea where he lived or if he had any children. I knew of the connection with Coates, near Cirencester, since Bernard's address on his attestation papers was Coates Rectory. I wondered if Hannah Vann's brother Rev Thomas Simpson, was the Rector of Coates and a glance at Crockford's Clerical Directory confirmed this. So I wrote to the present Rector and was thrilled to receive a 'phone call from Bernard's daugher-in-law, Bobyl Vann. She was delighted to hear our plans, put me in touch with her son and sent me a parcel of family photographs and memorabilia.

Though we were sorry not to get the regimental mascot and a bugler owing to other commitments, a young cornet player from the Mission band filled in excellently.

The police cleared one side of the road for us and although, owing to the traffic noise, Michael Vann's speech was largely inaudible, he has promised a transcript, which may be printed in the magazine in the future.

The Regiment provided a uniformed presence. Lt. Col. Mark Holden, resplendent in uniform with sword and medals

Lunch, kindly provided by the Conservative Club, followed. Everyone talked, posed for photographs, asked questions and ate and praised the display of photographs and documents. Members of the family, particularly, expressed delight and thanks that Bernard has been so well commemorated in his home town.

So we went home to relax at last, kick off our shoes and congratulate ourselves on a successful day. I am now tidying up after the event, writing thank you letters, sending copies of photos and cuttings to interested parties and still answering questions.
What next? Well watch this space.

Pat Jenkins