A FALLEN hero of the First World War has been remembered by his home town a century after his death.

Private Joseph Herbert Morrow, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, died in July 1915, as a result of wounds he suffered in battle.

He was brought home to Sedgefield, in County Durham, to be buried in what was then known as New Cemetery which opened in 1911.

Today (Thursday, July 23) a service of remembrance was held at his graveside by members of Sedgefield Local History Society, Sedgefield Village Veterans and D (Rifles) Company.

Lachlan, Cameron and Douglas Middleton, aged nine, seven and four, laid a wreath at the grave.

Their grandmother Alison Hodgson, who is in the history society, said: "We always try to get youngsters involved, it seems like ancient history to them but it is so important they know about the wars."

The service was arranged for July 23 which was originally thought to be the date of his death.

But researchers discovered he actually died the following day, just six days before his 33rd birthday, so it instead it commemorated the last day of his life.

Chairman of the history society Norma Neal said it was the fourth of a series of ceremonies to be held over the next four years in memory of the 42 Sedgefield men named on the war memorial who lost their lives in the 1914-18 war.

She said: “As we have done research these men have come alive again, they are no longer names carved on a block of stone on the village memorial you might just walk past but real people whose sacrifice must be remembered.

“It is nice to be able to remember Pte Morrow here, it was rare for soldiers to come back home and he has a lovely resting place where his family are.”

Pte Morrow is buried with his parents Sarah and Joseph, who died in 1929 and 1933, and an Elizabeth Evelyn Morrow thought to be his sister.

Researchers have found that both father and son were joiners and the family lived in West End, Sedgefield.

Lt Marc Stuart, of D (Rifles) Company, which is part of 5RRF, said: “It is important for us to remember, he was a fusilier and tracing our history back is important so we know what we are part of and our values.”