Tribute to Mersey hero of Great War

The British Army has paid tribute today to a hero of the First World War in naming its newest training base in his honour.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester performed the officially opening ceremony of the RG Masters VC Territorial Army Centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

Private Richard George Masters, an Army ambulance driver, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary actions in saving the lives of nearly 200 soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. 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.

John Masters, the 89-year-old nephew of Richard George, was present at today’s event. He said the choice of name for the new centre made him ‘very proud’.

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. The transport squadron proudly supports the various duties undertaken by the modern British Army in the UK and overseas, with many of its soldiers having recently completed operational service in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans and Cyprus.

Two cadet organisations are also based at the centre: B (RLC) Troop of Merseyside Army Cadet Force and 1908 (Bootle) Squadron, Merseyside Wing, Air Training Corps.

Members of the public interesting in joining any of these organisations should phone 0151 530 2783 for more information on the commitment involved. Information is also available at www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest or www.nwrfca.org.uk

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