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A First World War hero awarded with the Victoria Cross has had a paving stone unveiled in his honour in his hometown.

Descendents of Captain Francis Grenfell, who was born along with his twin, Riversdale, in Hatchlands, East Clandon, attended a ceremony to unveil a commemorative paving stone in Guildford town centre on Sunday August 24, 100 years to the day after his brave actions which led to his military honour.

The stone was unveiled by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor David Elms, at Tunsgate Arch in the High Street.

The birth places of all Victoria Cross recipients from the conflict will receive free stones from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) over the next four years with each ceremony taking place 100 years to the day since each recipient's actions.

Captain Grenfell, a member of the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, was awarded the highest military honour for valour "in the face of the enemy" for his actions on August 24 1914 during the British Army's withdrawal from the Belgian city of Mons.

A citation read by Brigadier (Retired) Philip Pratley MBE said Captain Grenfell showed "fearless leadership" when he led his regiment to charge over 1200 yards of unreconnoitered ground under heavy with little cover fire so fellow troops could be protected before later being asked to help the 119 Battery Royal Field Artiller which was stranded by the enemy line.

"Showing complete disregard for his own life, Captain Grenfell rode out from where he was, to the gun positions, in order to identify a viable route along which his soldiers could pull the guns," he said.

"Having identified such a route, while still under persistently heavy enemy fire, Captain Grenfell then asked for volunteers. All of his remaining soldiers volunteered immediately."

Captain Grenfell's team managed to successfully recover all the weapons.

Unveiling the plaque, Cllr Elms said: "It is truly humbling to hear about Captain Grenfell's bravery and I am deeply honoured to be unveiling this stone today.

"The commemorative stone will honour Captain Grenfell's courage and provide a lasting legacy of this Guildford-born hero. But this stone will also stand as a symbol of the bravery of all those from our borough who served in the First World War and of the sacrifice of those who fell."

The announcement of Captain Grenfell's honour was made in November 16 1914 and he received from King George V the following February.

One of 15 children, Captain Grenfell was killed in action at Hooge in the Ypres salient on May 24 1915 at the age of 34 - nine months after Riversdale.

His regiment took his body five miles out of the lines and buried him in Vlamertinghe churchyard.

His great nephew, Lieutenant colonel Patrick Lort-Phillips, said 28 members of the family had attended the service.

"We are able to say thank you to the man and to Guildford Borough Council for doing him such an honour," he said.

"They really have pulled all the stops out and they've done us proud."

Medals won by Francis, Riversdale and other siblings, were presented by Topper Wil Jones, a 19-year-old from Burpham who is part of the current 9th Royal Lancers.

The order of service for the ceremony included words from the king to Captrain Grenfell's uncle.

"The Queen and I are grieved beyond words that your gallant nephew has fallen in battle. I was proud to give him his nobly earned Victoria Cross and trusted that he might live to wear it for many years.

"Our heartfelt sympathy."

Captain Grenfell was the third soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.

Guildford Borough Council leader, Stephen Mansbridge, said it was "terrific" the town could honour his bravery.

"We had to make it a really good event of it for his family to feel that this is important to all of us," he said.

"But it's not just a family thing, it's important every time people walk through this arch to see this symbol of what people gave up."

Another ceremony is due to be held in memory of Captain Grenfell is to be held in Beaconsfield, where he also grew up, on Remembrance Sunday (November 9).