AN Oldham Victoria Cross hero is to be remembered with a service and commemorative stone, exactly 100 years since his exceptional act of bravery.

Private Walter Mills earned the honour following a gas attack in the trenches at Red Dragon Crater, near Givenchy, France, in December, 1917.

The trenches were overwhelmed and, despite being badly gassed himself, 23-year-old Pte Mills remained at his post and met the attackers single-handedly, throwing grenades at the enemy until reinforcements arrived.

While being carried away from the conflict, Pte Mills died from gas poisoning on December 11, 1917.

It was solely due to his efforts and sheer self-sacrifice that the enemy was defeated and the line remained intact.

Pte Mills will be honoured on Monday at 11am with a Service of Dedication and an unveiling of a commemorative stone at Oldham Parish Church.

It is part of a national campaign to lay lasting reminders in the birth place of Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War.

As part of the commemoration, Oldham Council is appealing for family members of Pte Mills to come forward to attend the service and pay their respects. Family members will be joined by dignitaries and representatives of local community groups and schools to unveil a commemorative paving stone in honour of the private in the church grounds.

Cllr Cath Ball, deputy cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, with a special responsibility for Oldham Remembers said: “A man with such passion and fearlessness is someone we must never forget in Oldham.

“Pte Mills was born and bred here and it’s only right that a story of such self-sacrifice and bravery is remembered for years to come.

“This service will give residents the chance to pay their respects to the war hero and find out more information about him.”

The service will be followed by refreshments in the Egyptian Room at the Old Town Hall, Parliament Square.

Any relatives of Pte Mills or anyone who wants to pay their respects should contact the Oldham Remembers team on 0161-770 4621.

For more about Oldham’s commemorations to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War, and to read stories about local people and their experiences in the war, go to oldhamremembers.org.uk