THREE generations of Blackburn hero soldier Sergeant William Grimbaldeston's family attended as special ceremony to honour his winning the Victoria Cross100 years ago.

Granddaughter Lilian Pitt travelled from Suffolk with four of his great-grandchildren and three great-great- grandchildren for the laying of a special paving stone outside Blackburn Town Hall.

The event was 100 years to the day after his courage in the First World War Battle of Passchendaele, which won him the nation’s highest award for military valour.

Mrs Pitt, 66, who was wearing her grandfather's miniature dress uniform medals, said: "I remember my granddad well and coming to his house in Bold Street.

"He was a very calm, content man and we used to play number games which was a little different as he'd lost a finger in combat.

"It is lovely to come back to Blackburn which has really changed since the days of visiting a two-up, two-down terrace with an outside 'privy' toilet.

"It lovely to see so many members of the family here, but it's a pity my sister Kathleen couldn't make it."

Present at the laying of the special paving stone, made by local stonemason Brent Stevenson for free, were Sgt Grimbaldeston's great -grandchildren Robert Pitt, Hilary Pyburn, Mike Hobbs and William Hobbs as well as his great-great-grandchildren John Pitt, seven, Ruth Pitt, five and seven year-old Ellen Pyburn.

Mill Sgt Grimbaldeston was also awarded the highest French bravery award The Croix de Guerre, for capturing 36 German machine gunners threatening his company’s advance, while wounded at the three-month-long Battle of Passchendaele.

He was armed only with a rifle and a hand grenade.

The feat took place shortly after his return to action after injury.

Mrs Pitt said: "My grandfather was lovely man and a true hero.

"It is wonderful to see him commemorated in this way and we are all very proud.

"He gave the actual full-size Victoria Cross to the museum of his regiment the King's Own Scottish Borderers in Berwick-on-Tweed on the August 16 anniversary of his act of bravery in 1960."

Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Colin Rigby, said: "I am delighted to host this special occasion remembering a true hero whose feat of bravery was extraordinary."

Two other Blackburn winners of the medal, John Schofield and Percy Thompson Dean, will receive their paving stones nest year along with Boer War VC Private James Pitts.