NORTH Yorkshire men Tom Dresser, Harry Wood and Charles Hull should be household names, because although they came from humble origins, all three, who died during the First World War, received the rarely presented Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy”.

Sadly, few if any outside their families will have any idea who Tom, Harry and Charles are these days and if that weren’t ignominy enough, their graves have also fallen into disrepair.

This is a terrible indictment on society’s attitude to our war heroes, but with luck things might be about to change. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced a £100,000 grant towards the restoration of the graves of First World War VC holders across the country.

Not before time too, we say. The graves of politicians would never have been allowed to crumble in this way and can you name an MP who has ever deserved the epithet hero? With the possible exception of Churchill, no, neither can we.