Dignitaries descended on a tiny village to pay tribute to Lord Byng

Lord Byng, of Thorpe Hall, played a key role in the crucial battle as the Allies tried to push back the Germans on the Western Front in April 1917.

He had already overseen the Allied withdrawal from the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign, which earned him the rank of Knight Commander within the Order of the Bath, and successes at the Battle of Arras.

The Canadians were struggling to advance against the enemy so asked the then Lieutenant-General Byng to take command of the troops.

"It was vital that the Canadians broke through the ridge, but they had already lost a lot of troops," said Yvonne Chappell, who has researched Lord Byng, who was nicknamed 'Bungo'.

"He got them all in uniform and trained them "They all thought a lot of him and won the battle.

"There was a very good relationship between him and the Canadians so after the war he was asked to be Governor General of Canada."

Julian Byng and wife Evelyn had bought Thorpe Hall in 1913.

But the couple worshipped at St Leonard's Church up the road in Beaumont – because the church in Thorpe-le-Soken wouldn't let their pet jack russell dog attend services with them.

Lord Byng was made a viscount after the war and given an impressive banner bearing the family's coat of arms, which hung in Westminster Abbey for years.

Yvonne, who is an official at St Leonard's, where said: "When he died his wife had the flag brought down to the church and it has hung here ever since, but it needs a bit of restoration work if it is going to survive the next 100 years.

"It's hung the wrong way round and isn't in the best condition but it's not as ragged as some I have seen.

The banner has also had to weather the droppings of bats living in the church.

An appeal has now been launched to restore the banner and put it in a protective case.

The project could cost up to £7,000, but has already received £1,000 from the Princes' Trust. Prince Charles and sons William and Harry were at the Battle of Vimy Ridge centenary in France last month.

"It's going to take quite a while because they have to be extremely careful with it, but it's not so bad it will fall to pieces," said Yvonne.

"We want to preserve it for the future by putting it in a display case so when we have this celebration against in 100 years people will still be able to see it.

"There is so much history, it would be a shame to let it go."

Lord Byng also became Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and introduced the right for people to see a solicitor when arrested.

He and Lady Byng were like local royalty where they lived.

"They were extremely well thought of for the work they did here," said Yvonne.

"He founded the Frinton-on-Sea War Memorial Club and was their very first chairman.

"And he founded Thorpe Sports and Social Club where people who didn't have a lot of money could go for a drink with friends without it being too expensive.

"During the war, Lady Byng turned Thorpe Hall into a convalescent home and had the gardens done up - they are still beautiful today.

"She was a very kind lady and they were both very generous."

The couple were unable to have children but became close friends with their lady-in-waiting Eva Sandford.

When Lady Byng died in 1949, she left all her wealth to Eva.

"Eva became like a daughter to them," said Yvonne.

"She had been a great support to both of them and a great companion to Lady Evelyn when he was off fighting."

Eva is buried with them in the family tomb at Beaumont's church. The headstone is engraved with Lord Byng's field marshal batons.

When he had died in 1935, aged, 72, the funeral cortege walked the five miles from Thorpe Hall to St Leonard's Church.

Yvonne said: "After his death, Queen Mary came to visit Lady Evelyn at Thorpe Hall and stayed there.

"On the journey, the guards on the trains were told not to blow there whistles in case they woke her up.

"It obviously caused a lot of excitement in the area."

Canadian High Commissioner Lt Col Simon Rushen, Chief Supt Ewan Wilson and national Royal British Legion vice-chairman Una Cleminson were at Sunday's remembrance service, led by Rev Liz Barnes.

Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre, who is Lord Byng's great great nephew, also attended.

Yvonne said: "Our vicar has only been with us since October but she has got behind the appeal and supported it like there is no tomorrow.

"We feel we are part of history and that we should respect the man who was our benefactor.

"He was very good to us."