WORK is well underway on a lasting memorial to the only two brothers awarded Victoria Crosses during the First World War.

The memorial garden recognising the service and bravery of Roland and George Bradford, who served with the Durham Light Infantry, will be unveiled in their home village of Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, next month.

A Victoria Cross stone recognising the work of Roland Bradford will be unveiled at this time and in April 2018 a second one will be added in memory of George Roland.

Their older brothers, James and Thomas, were also decorated for their role in the 1914-18 conflict, with a Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order respectively.

They will also feature in the memorial in the village as part of recognising all 67 residents of Witton Park men that died in conflict.

A special unveiling ceremony for the £123,000 feature for the “Fighting Bradfords” will take place at the site in Witton Park on Saturday, March 11, at 10.30am.

Durham county councillor Rob Yorke has spent two years working alongside fellow county councillor Christine Wilson, on the project.

He said: “We are looking forward to all the residents coming along. It is a close knit community and these brothers were much part of the community.

“People have asked us to do this. It is only right that we honour these brothers and this is the culmination of two years of hard work.

“We have worked closely with the community and it is looking fantastic.”

Work on the garden dedicated to the county’s most famous Great War family began last year after a service of commemoration at St Paul’s Church, in Witton Park, marking their bravery in the field.

Trustees, friends and associates of the Durham Light Infantry Association broke the ground at the site, which will become home to two of the county’s seven commemorative Victoria Cross stones.

In September 1916, Roland Bradford led 9 DLI in the fighting on the Somme, and then, on October 1 during an attack on the German trenches at Eaucourt l’Abbaye, took control of another battalion, 6 DLI, after its commanding officer had been wounded.

For his leadership and bravery during the attack under heavy fire, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, which was presented to him by King George V during an open air ceremony in Hyde Park in June 1917.

Roland, who had become the youngest brigadier-general in British Army history, was killed in action at the age of 25, but his bravery and heroism, and that of his brothers, is still remembered today.

The Victoria Cross commemorative paving stones programme is a national scheme that will see every Victoria Cross recipient of the First World War recognised with a paving stone.