Today, a detraction from my other content focusing on where I live. Valour Road This is part one of two which deals with Victoria Cross recipients who lived here in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. It's also where I live. This part deals with World War 1 and a story that many Canadians know. Corporal Leo Clarke, Sergeant-Major Frederick William Hall and Lieutenant Robert Shankland all fought in World War 1. Some of you may be wondering what is so unusual about this. Read on... The Victoria Cross is the highest military honour bestowed upon British and Commonwealth forces and is equivalent to the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. These three men all received the Victoria Cross for their actions in World War 1. Leo Clarke was awarded his Victoria Cross at the battle of the Somme. Alone and under attack by 20 enemy soldiers, Leo went on the offensive instead of surrendering. He killed most of the soldiers before being wounded by a bayonette to the knee. He still kept going and killed four more fleeing soldiers and even took a prisoner. He went back to fight the next day. Leo Clarke was killed in action a month later. Frederick William Hall received his V.C. while attempting to retrieve a wounded soldier lying on the battlefield. Two other soldiers with him were wounded and all returned to their trenches. A few minutes later, Hall crawled out in broad daylight under heavy enemy fire, got to the wounded soldier, squirmed under him and on his back began to bring him back. As he raised his head to get his bearings, he took a bullet to the head and died instantly. Robert Shankland, at the battle of Passchendaele, led his men to a forward position which they held while under a fierce counter-attack. His company's position was crucial to the Allied battle plan. Shankland made his way alone back to the batallion HQ delivering the information. He then made his way back the same way and rejoined his men. Shankland received the V.C. for personal courage, gallantry and skill while setting an example for the men in his command. Robert Shankland was the only one of the three recipients to come back home alive. What is so special about these three men receiving the Victoria Cross ? Here is the most interesting and unusual part of this story. Leo Clarke, Frederick William Hall and Robert Shankland all lived on the same street here in Winnipeg. Pine Street to be exact and on the same block. These three men receiving the Victoria Cross and living on the same street prompted the City of Winnipeg to rename Pine Street to Valour Road ln 1925 honouring the recipients. A fitting and permanent tribute to them. It is believed and highly likely that this is the only street in the world where three known Victoria Cross recipients once lived. A bronze plaque is mounted on a street lamp at the corner of Portage Avenue and Valour Road to tell this story and was the site of remembrance for ceremonies on November 11th. Since 2005, ceremonies are carried out at Valour Plaza, a more fitting site. From time to time a video vignette can be seen depicting the above. History Channel up here will likely play it several times before November 11th. Next time, in another war, another Winnipeg resident receives the Victoria Cross for his most conspicuous act of heroism which called for valour of the highest order. It will appear in the Poser/Historical section.