A TEENAGE soldier who was killed a week before the end of the First World War has been remembered at a ceremony at Burnley Town Hall.

Corporal Alfred Bennett Smith was just 19 when he was fatally wounded by a German shell as he laid a telephone line to a forward position.

He died on November 4, 1918, on his way to hospital for treatment.

Alfred worked at the town hall, in King William Street, for the Burnley town clerk before signing up for the Army in 1915.

On Monday, the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Andy Tatchell, Burnley Council chief executive Steve Rumbelow, and representatives from ex-servicemen’s organisations met at the town hall to remember Alfred’s bravery.

A memorial to him was recorded on a banner as part of the wider commemoration of the centenary of the start of the conflict, which claimed the lives of more than 4,000 local people.

The information on the banner was provided by local historian Andrew Gill.

Coun Tatchell said: “Corporal Smith was one young man among many who bravely served their country during World War One. As the date the war started – August 4 – approaches, it’s important we all remember their sacrifice.”

Burnley will mark the anniversary of the start of the First World War with a parade event on Monday, at Towneley Park. At 9.45pm, a torchlight parade will make its way through the park to the cenotaph where there will be a short ceremony, culminating in two minutes silence in memory of those who lost their lives.

Anyone wanting to show their respects is invited to attend.