COMMEMORATIVE paving stones will be laid in Wyre Forest in memory of two of the district’s Victoria Cross heroes from First World War.

Eustace Jotham and John Young will be commemorated in the run-up to next year’s centenary commemorations of the start of the First World War.

The stones are part of a Government initiative to commemorate each Victoria Cross recipient of the war.

Captain Jotham was awarded the medal for bravery on January 7, 1915, at Spina Khaisora, Pakistan.

During operations against the Khostwal tribesmen, he was commanding a party of the North Waziristan Militia when they were attacked and surrounded by some 1,500 tribesmen.

He gave the order to retire and sacrificed his own life by attempting to rescue one of his men who had lost his horse.

Private Young earned his Victoria Cross as a stretcher bearer with the Canadian Forces.

On September 2, 1918, in the Dury-Arras Sector, France he dressed the wounded in open ground swept by machine-gun and rifle fire.

He organised and led stretcher-bearers to bring in the wounded. He dressed and spent an hour rescuing more than 12 men.

Liberal Wyre Forest councillor Fran Oborski, said: “I’m delighted to announce we are supporting this civic initiative. We will be doing some work over the coming months to consider the best locations that will ensure that people see the commemorative stones.

“The stories of these two brave men are extraordinary and something the district should be proud of and celebrate. I’m looking forward to the unveiling of the stones next year to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War One.