Grenade Incident on Cannock Chase

Second lieutenant Randolph Ridling threw himself into a trench to save the life of a recruit who had taken the pin from a live hand grenade, taking most of the impact in the ensuing explosion and was awarded the George Medal.

The brave act by the New Zealand officer took place during the First World War at Brocton Camp on Cannock Chase where many Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers were trained for battle.

Read more about this remarkable deed in this Express and Star article and Cannock Journal.