First World War soldier - whose bravery was immortalised in a comic strip - remembered by home town

Winsford Town Council, Cheshire, is commemorating Sgt James Clarke later, 100 years to the day since his gallantry in WW1 and just 9 days before the war ended on 11th Nov, 1918.

For his gallantry, James Clarke was decorated with the Victoria Cross

WHY DID JAMES CLARKE GET THE VICTORIA CROSS?

While serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers on the Western Front in November 1918 he led a charge, braving machine gun fire to take a heavily defended ridge.In the action he and his men captured 4 machine gun posts. He later led the remnants of his platoon to capture 3 more machine gun posts and numerous prisoners.

James Clarke died in 1947 and was buried with full military honours in Rochdale cemetery. But his bravery was not forgotten. A few years later in 1976, James Clarke’s gallantry was retold in picture-strip format in the Victor comic.

Later there'll be an unveiling of a commemorative inscribed paving stone in Winsford with Lancashire Fusiliers in attendance and silhouettes and memorial benches are also being unveiled in commemoration of the 247 Winsford men who lost their lives in WW1.