World War One hero honored at parliamentary remembrance garden

A remembrance cross has been placed in tribute to a World War One hero whose act of bravery saved his battalion. Sgt Laurence Calvert, who resided in Conisbrough near Doncaster, was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 after he single-handedly captured two machine guns and eliminated their crews during the Battle of Havrincourt. John Healey, the Member of Parliament for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, formally dedicated a memorial honoring Sgt Calvert within the Gardens of Remembrance at the House of Commons. Mr. Healey stated, “We must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the UK and our allies.” Born in Leeds in 1892, Sgt Calvert relocated to Conisbrough in 1910. He was employed as a miner before enlisting in the Territorial Force in 1914, shortly before the outbreak of World War One. His service included deployment to France and Belgium. On September 12, 1918, during the Battle of Havrincourt, his battalion found itself immobilized by German machine gun fire. He single-handedly moved forward to neutralize all seven members of the enemy crew, an act of bravery for which he received the Victoria Cross. Following the war, he maintained his military involvement. He subsequently joined the Home Guard during World War Two but withdrew due to declining health. He passed away in Essex in 1964 at the age of 72. The remembrance garden, situated at the primary entrance to the Commons, was inaugurated in 2021. Invitations have been extended to representatives from all 650 parliamentary constituencies to contribute a tribute at this location. The garden is scheduled for completion on Remembrance Day, featuring tributes dedicated to individuals from the UK, Crown dependencies, Commonwealth nations, and British overseas territories.