A PAVING stone has been unveiled in Kidderminster, commemorating the life of one of the town’s First World War heroes.

Captain Eustace Jotham VC was born in Kidderminster in 1883, and was killed on January 7, 1915, after giving his life to rescue one of his comrades.

The commemorative paving stone will be laid in the New Year near the foot of the Angel of Peace, outside St Mary’s and All Saints Church, as part of a national programme in which local authorities honour their local Victoria Cross winners.

Before being laid, the stone is on display in the foyer of Wyre Forest House, the council’s headquarters in Finepoint Way, until tomorrow.

The laying ceremony will start at 2pm on Wednesday, January 7, being carried out by the chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Stephen Williams.

Mr Williams said: “It will be an honour for me to perform the official unveiling ceremony and members of the public will be most welcome to attend.

“I hope local residents will also take the opportunity to view the paving stone at Wyre Forest House this week.”

Captain Jotham was originally commissioned in the Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire) Regiment in 1903, but he transferred to the Indian Army two years later and was promoted to Captain with the 51st Sikhs in 1912.

He was then attached to the North Waziristan Militia during operations in the Tochi Valley area of the North West Frontier, in what is now Pakistan.

On January 7 1915, commanding a small party of about 12, Jotham and his men were surrounded by about 1,500 tribesmen.

He gave the order to retire, and could have escaped, but gallantly gave his own life in trying to rescue one of his men who had lost his horse.

The Victoria Cross paving stone, which will be laid on the centenary of Captain Jotham’s death, has been provided by the Department for Communities to commemorate all the First World War recipients of Britain’s highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy.

It will be on display from 10am to 5pm today (Tuesday, December 23) and from 10am to 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday, December 24) giving residents the chance to view the stone before it is installed.