Bury's only Victoria Cross war hero who died saving his commanding officer honoured 100 years on

A teenage Victoria Cross war hero, who died saving his commanding officer has been honoured 100 years on.

George Peachment, a rifleman in the First World War, was killed aged just 18 on the slaughter fields of the Western Front in 1915.

He had refused to leave injured Captain Guy Dubs during the fighting and instead of taking cover, crawled to him then knelt by the officer to help him.

He went on to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross - the nation's highest military honour.

Now his proud hometown in Bury, Greater Manchester, has made sure his gallant bravery under fire is never forgotten.The private's mother, Mary Peachment, accepted the honour and her son's medal in his memory from King George V at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace a year after his death in 1916.

Town Meadow Park in Tottington, where the family lived, has now been renamed in his memory and will be known as Private Peachment VC Town Meadow Park.

A mural of Private Peachment will stand in the park as a permanent and lasting reminder.

Artist Tony Kelzo was commissioned by Bury Council to create the mural alongside Evan Barlow, at the request of the Borough of Bury Veterans Association.

Rev Hugh Bearn, from St Anne's Church in Tottington led a service of dedication.

Councillor Richard Gold, the council's cabinet member for finance, communities and the council's armed forces lead, said: "The mural is a great tribute to Private Peachment and his family, honouring his life and achievements.

"We are proud to be a part of this project and happy to have been able to commission a local artist, it is great to see local artistry bring a community closer together to celebrate an important part of Bury's history."

The son of a barber, Peachment went on to study engineering at Bury Technical School.

He became an apprentice steam engine fitter at Ashworth & Parker of Elton, Bury, as his family moved to Tottington, where his mother was a teacher at a local school.

He went on to become a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, and was posted to France, where he was killed at the Battle of Loos near Hulloch on September 25, 1915.

It is believed, like many young men at the time, he lied about his age to enlist and reports state he even wore his father's bowler hat to appear older.

Peachment was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry and 'conspicuous bravery'.

He was wounded by bomb shrapnel - then shot dead.

Sadly, Peachment's body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.

According to the Western Front Association, just days before the start of the battle Peachment was 'confined to barracks' for three days for having a dirty bayonet whilst on guard parade.

They report that on September 25, 1915, his battalion and 1st Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were south of the Vermelles to Hulluch road. Troops had to deal with uncut wire and were badly affected by chlorine gas blowing back over British lines.

It was later that day that Peachment made his brave attempt to rescue his company commander, whose orderly he was.

His Victoria Cross citation said: "For most conspicuous bravery near Hulluch on 25th September, 1915. During very heavy fighting, when our front line was compelled to retire in order to reorganise, Private Peachment, seeing his Company Commander, Captain Dubs, lying wounded, crawled to assist him.

"The enemy’s fire was intense, but, though there was a shell-hole quite close, in which a few men had taken cover, Private Peachment never thought of saving himself."

He knelt in the open by his officer and tried to help him, but while doing this he was first wounded by a bomb and a minute later mortally wounded by a rifle bullet.

"He was one of the youngest men in his battalion and gave this splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice."

Captain Dubs survived thanks to his efforts. Peachment is the only Bury soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross.