A commemorative paving stone honouring a war hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery shown during a major battle of the First World War has been laid in Wallington.

Second Lieutenant Alfred Pollard, who led a successful counter-offensive during the Battle of Arras, was remembered at a ceremony held outside the Wallington Library Memorial Garden on Saturday, April 29.

The stone was laid 100 years after Leiut Pollard was awarded the Victoria Cross, the nation’s highest honour.

Read more: This Wallington hero was awarded the Victoria Cross for wartime bravery and now this is being done to remember him

Ahead of the unveiling Alex Page, civil engagement officer at the Armed Forces Covenant, said: “The London Borough of Sutton signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant on 28 June 2012.

"Since the signing, the borough have worked closely with Defence and have built an excellent working relationship benefiting both the military and civilian communities.

“It is an honour to be working with Sutton Council commemorating the 100th Anniversary for when Second Lieutenant Alfred Pollard was awarded his Victoria Cross being supported by his Regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company.

“We are extremely grateful to all those who have provided support to this commemoration.”

Your Local Guardian:

Second Lieutenant Alfred Pollard was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery

Lieut Pollard was given the medal after he led a counter-attack with four other soldiers during heavy bombardment by German forces.

The group were able to stop the enemy’s attack and took back ground that had been lost earlier in the war.

The former Belmont Road resident joined the Honourable Artillery Company with his brother just days after the outbreak of the war in July, 1914.

James did not survive the conflict.

After the war Lieut Pollard became an author and wrote more than 60 books, many of which were crime thrillers.

He died in Bournemouth on December 4, 1960.