First World War Commander who sacrificed himself in WWI to be commemorated in Durham

George Bradford, from Witton Park in County Durham, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during a First World War raid in Belgium Credit: Bradford Family

A First World War navy commander who died sacrificing himself in World War One is to be honoured at Witton Park, the village where he was born.

Lieutenant Commander George Bradford was awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery after being killed storming the Belgian port of Zeebrugge in 1918.

He is to be commemorated in the memorial garden at Witton park alongside his brother Roland, who was also a VC recipient.

A memorial plaque to the Bradford brothers who died in World War One Credit: Bradford Family

On April 23 1918, George's 31st birthday, he was serving aboard HMS Iris II where he volunteered to lead the landing parties in a raid on the Belgian port Zeebrugge.

In rough seas and with the boat surging up and down, George offered to climb a deck crane which carried a large anchor and secure the boat.

Moments after securing the anchor to the wall he was hit by machine gun fire and fell into the sea. His body was later recovered and he was buried in Blankenberge Communal Cemetery in Belgium.

A memorial stone will be laid for George in Witton Park on April 21. It forms part of an effort to have all of County Durham's First World War Victoria Cross recipients commemorated.

As part of the commemoration event on April 21, pupils from Escomb Primary School and St Chad's RC Primary School will bring to life some of George's own words and also those of Durham soldiers who served in the war.

St John's School Sixth Form College and Ferryhill Town Band will perform The Soldiers Hymn - part of the Durham Hymns Project - at Witton Park Village Hall.