A HERO of the Somme has been commemorated in his home town.

A commemorative paving stone was unveiled at a moving ceremony to honour the life of Private William Henry Short VC, who was awarded the Victoria Cross after dying in the Battle of the Somme which was raging 100 years ago.

Pvt Short, of Eston, near Middlesbrough, was 31 when he died. The Green Howard was still priming guns and encouraging comrades while dying of terrible wounds.

At the ceremony on Saturday, a moving letter to Pvt Short's father, James, informing him of his son's death was read by a representative of the Yorkshire Regiment, the successor to the Green Howards. The mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Barry Hunt, read from the Bible and the Last Post was played.

The dozens of people who attended were told how William Short was fighting at Munster Alley, a key area in the Battle of the Somme, for the Green Howards' B Company, when he sustained serious injuries first to his foot and then leg.

Pvt Short's VC citation read: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was foremost in the attack, bombing the enemy with great gallantry, when he was severely wounded in the foot. He was urged to go back, but refused and continued to throw bombs. Later his leg was shattered by a shell, and he was unable to stand, so he lay in the trench adjusting detonators and straightening the pins of bombs for his comrades. He died before he could be carried out of the trench. For the last eleven months he had always volunteered for dangerous enterprises, and has always set a magnificent example of bravery and devotion to duty."

Cllr Hunt said: “Private Short was one of many who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of the Somme whilst displaying great gallantry in the face of the enemy, the unveiling of this memorial stone is the least we can do to pay tribute to the memory of an Eston resident who went above and beyond to defend his country."

Pvt Short was a steelworker, working as a crane man at Bolckow, Vaughan and Co Steelworks and travelled to France in 1915. He was a popular footballer, playing for Grangetown Albion, Saltburn and Lazenby United.

Short was interred at Contalmaison Chateau Cemetery, France. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum, Richmond and his steel helmet is part of the collection of the Imperial War Museum.