CIVIC leaders are trying to trace living relatives of a man awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

Sunderland City Council’s are to lay a dedicated paving stone in memory of Captain George Allan Maling on the 100th anniversary of his courageous action and are keen to have relatives and contacts involved.

“George Maling was a true local hero," said the council’s portfolio holder for public health wellness and culture, John Kelly.

“It is believed that he was born at Carlton House, Ashbrooke, here in Sunderland. Back then the area was part of Bishopwearmouth, County Durham, and we know that he was definitely living here between 1888 and 1910.”

He later became a doctor and volunteered for active service in the First World War.

“We would love to hear from anyone who has information regarding friends and family that are still with us.”

Part of the Maling pottery family, he was the son of Edwin Allan Maling (1838–1920), a general practitioner from Blackwell Hall, Darlington, and his wife, Maria Jane, née Hartley (1847–1932) of Sunderland.

Maling was a 26-year-old Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 12th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).

On September 25, 1915 near Fauquissart, France, Lt Maling worked for over 24 hours with untiring energy, collecting and treating more than 300 men in the open, under heavy shell fire.

During the morning he was temporarily stunned by a burst of high explosive shell which wounded his only assistant and killed several patients, but he continued his gallant work single-handed.

Anyone with information should call Janet Robinson on 0191 561 8413.