AN army medic who saved more than 300 lives during a single day has been honoured 100 years to the day after he won the Victoria Cross.

Descendants of George Maling VC attended a ceremony today (FRI) to unveil a memorial stone in his hometown of Sunderland commemorating his heroism.

On the opening day of the Battle of Loos in September 1915, Lieutenant Maling collected and treated more than 300 men from the battlefield, working non-stop under heavy shellfire for 24 hours to save casualties wounded in action.

Twice during the day his field hospital was hit by shellfire. In the morning, a high explosive shell killed several of his patients, wounded his only assistant and left Lt Maling temporarily stunned.

Later that day a second explosion covered the doctor and his instruments with debris, but he kept up his single-handed work to save as many lives as he could.

The Royal Medical Corps officer was the only Sunderland-born soldier to be awarded the VC during the First World War and today the city honoured Lt Maling with a memorial stone bearing his name at the base of the city's war memorial in Burdon Road.

The ceremony was attended by his grandson Dr David Maling and his wife Jenny, who travelled from their home in Cornwall to join Mayor of Sunderland Cllr Barry Curran and Julie Elliot MP at the unveiling ceremony.

Cllr Curran said: "I was honoured and extremely proud to represent the people of our city at this civic commemoration of one of our bravest citizens, and delighted that so many people came along to support the event.

"The presence of George Maling's grandson David and his wife Jenny made the occasion even more special, and I was delighted they were involved in unveiling this permanent reminder of his bravery."

The commemorative paving stone is one of a number commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, provided to communities across the country as a permanent, structural reminder of the bravery of its citizens who were awarded the VC during the First World War whilst serving their country.

This weekend there will be a series of events taking place across the city to mark the anniversary, including talks, walks, drama and a football festival.

Cllr Ellen Bell, who represents Ryhope on Sunderland City Council, said: "His story is one to inspire present and future generations in the city and the community where he was born and bought up, and I hope everyone will join us with their families and friends over the weekend to get involved in paying tribute to his memory in a number of ways."