A RARE Belgian gallantry medal, awarded to a Pembroke Dock soldier who fought in the Great War, has gone on display in the town museum.

The Croix de Guerre, with its distinctive ribbon, is one of four medals awarded to Charlie Wilcox, a well-known Military Road resident. All four - including the Defence Medal and the Victory Medal - are now on view at the Gun Tower Museum, along with photographs and other items from the soldier's collection.

They have been donated by Mr. Roy Goater, whose late wife, Gertrude, was Charlie's daughter.

Roy, who lives at Crawley, Sussex, recently visited the Gun Tower to see the medals on display. He recalled that Charlie had been awarded the Croix de Guerre following the Second Battle of the Somme.

Museum curator Ron Watts said Charlie had joined the 114th Siege Battery, Royal Artillery - a Pembroke Dock-raised unit - and he was also Mentioned in Despatches in November 1917.

Like many other Great War servicemen, Charlie Wilcox was granted the Freedom of Pembroke Borough, an honour he was very proud of. He died at the age of 69.

Joining Roy at the museum was another relative of Mr Wilcox, Christopher Brill, of Porthcawl. A former RAF regular, Christopher served as an airframe fitter at RAF Pembroke Dock on 201 Sunderland Squadron in the 1950s.

The Wilcox Collection is one of a number of new displays and items at the Gun Tower Museum this year. The museum is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm.