A ceremony will be held to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the awarding of the first Victoria Cross in the First World War.

Private Sidney Godley was given the honour by George V on August 23, 1914, after showing particular heroism in his management of machine guns on the first day of the Battle of Mons.

Mr Godley retired to Torrington Drive in Loughton and spent his last days in St. Margaret’s Hospital in Epping, where he died in 1957, aged 67. 

Loughton Town Council is set to hold a ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mr Godley being awarded the Victoria Cross on August 23.

The short service will be held at Loughton Cemetery in Church Road, Loughton, at 4pm and will be open to the public.