The dedication of a memorial plaque turned into a royal occasion when the Countess of Wessex was among the invited guests.

Sophie, the wife of the Queen's third son, Prince Edward, was in Dunmow with her family to mark the bravery of her great uncle, the Rev Noel Mellish who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.

The army chaplain, who went out into enemy fire 17 times to rescue 22 men, became vicar at St Mary's Church in Dunmow in 1928, and stayed for 20 years.

His bravery was never marked in the town until Dunmow Historical and Literary Society decided to do something about it.