FAMILY and residents of Hyndburn turned out in force on Tuesday to honour an Accrington Pals hero as a paving stone was laid to remember his bravery.

Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall, 29, received the Victoria Cross for leading two counter-attacks despite a severe head wound 100 years to the day before the ceremony. The VC is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces

Among the family members present was Lt Horsfall’s great nephew Paul Ashton who read the medal citation published in the London Gazette to those attending the ceremony at the Church Street War Memorial in Accrington.

He said his grandfather, who was very close to his heroic brother, would have been proud to know the memorial paving stone had been laid. The citation to hero said: “His conduct was a splendid example to his men, and he showed throughout the utmost disregard of danger.”

Flags of the 11th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (the ‘Accrington Pals’) were lowered and the Last Post was played by a lone bugler as all those present remembered Lt Horsfall and his bravery. A plaque in tribute was also installed in the town hall.

The heroic officer refused to be invalided out of action despite his severe head wound leading a counter-attack under heavy shell fire on March 27 2017 and was ready to lead another when order to retreat. The last to leave his position, Lt Horsfall was killed as he lead his men to safety.

Born in Colombo in 1887, he was the youngest son of Mr W Horsfall, and was initially a member of the Ceylon Engineers. In July 1916, aged 28, he returned to Britain where he was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, in December 1916.

He was wounded on May 11 1917 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion and after recovery in England was attached to the Accrington Pals October.

It was during service with the famous battalion his heroic actions led to the award of the VC. Lt Horsfall’s father received the rarely-awarded medal on behalf of Basil from King George V with Mr Ashton’s grandfather in attendance.