MYSTERY surrounds the story of a First World War soldier whose gallantry may have gone unrewarded.

Since we published the story of Private John Henry Rutter, of Little Leigh and Barnton, a number of readers have been in touch to say they cannot find any record of him as a holder of a Victoria Cross.

His grandchildren have recently uncovered his letters and documents from the First World War, which include a Gallantry in Action form detailing the particulars for which a VC was awarded and contemporary newspaper cuttings interviewing him about the award.

But local historian Paul Hurley said: “I’m afraid my research has thrown up that he never won such an award.

“Someone has not done their research, there is no one of that name who has been awarded the VC and locally my sister-in-law’s uncle is the only VC in this area, James Clark of Winsford.”

The Guardian forwarded its story and the supporting documentation to Peter Donnelly, curator of the Kings Own Royal Regiment Museum, to see if he could shed any light on the matter.

He said: “I think what will have happened is that the action took place and there was much praise of him by those around him and the officers who he saved.

“Maybe there was a recommendation sent for the Victoria Cross, maybe it was never sent, but there was enough discussion which left the impression that he would receive the VC, and thus he wrote home.

“The letter home and the information it contained was obtained by the local press, there would no doubt have been local talk about the event and medal.

“Victoria Cross awards are all well documented so there is no chance that he was simply missed out, or did not receive the award as he did not return the form. I do not know exactly what that form is – and have not come across one before.”

He added: “I think this is a case where a gallant soldier, and there were many, has taken part in something very brave, those around him saw that and felt it needed recognition, but higher authorities did not see it in the same light and the award was never made.”

Peter said there were two other cases in the regiment’s records where a recommendation was not acted upon or a recommendation declined and a lower award given instead.

“As there are two other similar cases it shows what could and did happen – not everything was as straight forward and the point is there was lots of gallantry which went un-recorded,” he said.