A First World War hero who received the most prestigious award for gallantry has been commemorated with a special paving stone.

George Thomas Dorrell VC MBE will now forever be remembered, after a York stone featuring his name, rank, regiment and date of action for which his Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded, laid at the bottom of Kensington War Memorial at the south end of Kensington Church Street.

A ceremony on Friday (September 5) to reflect on the Liutenant-Colonel was held for guests, including members of the Dorrell family, and Sergeant Johnson Beharry who is the first living recipient of the VC since 1969.

Mr Dorrell, born in Chelsea, joined the British Army at the early age of 15 and earnt his colours when he took over command as Battery Sergeant-Major during a fierce attack on his ‘L’ Battery at Néry, France, on September 1, 1914.

All officers were either killed or wounded, including the officer in command, Edward Kinder Bradbury whose leg was taken off by a shell and continued to direct fire until he died.

Battery Sergeant-Major Dorrell then took over command and continued to fire until all ammunition was used up.

During the Second World War, the brave soldier served as a company commander in the Home Guard and died in Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey in January 1971 at 90-years-old where he was given a regimental funeral with his coffin on a gun carriage escorted by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, despite having retired from the army a long time before.

His Victoria Cross is now displayed at the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth.

The mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, said: “I was honoured to be able to lead the borough’s ceremony to remember George Dorrell’s heroism and service to his country during the First World War.”

The ceremony was the first of nine taking place in the borough to commemorate those awarded the Victoria Cross and forms part of a nationwide campaign.