A memorial stone has been put in place to honour a First World War soldier whose Battle of the Somme heroics earned him the Victoria Cross.
The ceremony to remember Company Sergeant Major George Evans was held at Fuham War Memorial and attended by his granddaughter and great grandchildren, and fellow VC recipient Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry.
The stone was unveiled on July 30, exactly 100 years to the day that he risked his life to deliver a vital message to comrades during a bloody battle in France.
It was laid next to a commemorative stone placed last year for Private Edward Dwyer, who also received the VC during the 1914-1918 conflict.
Company Sergeant Major Evans was born in Hilmer Street West Kensington , was already a Boer War veteran when he reenlisted with the Scots Guards at the age of 38.
Determined to fight for King and Country, he switched company when told he would not see action, so he could join his regiment and head to the battlefield.
His act of gallantry occurred on July 30 1916, at the age of 40. Five men had already been killed in trying to deliver the message during the attack at Guillemont, when Company Sergeant Major Evans volunteered.
He ran 700 yards, dodging heavy rifle and machine gun fire to deliver the message. Despite injuries, he refused medical treatment, instead choosing run the 700 yards back to his men.
Soon after he was captured by enemy troops, but would go on to survive the war and live until 1937.
The stone-laying is part of the nationwide campaign to honour Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War by laying commemorative paving stones in their birthplace on the centenary of their awards.
Company Sergeant Major Evans’ stone was unveiled by his granddaughter Dilys Fisher, Lance Sergeant Beharry, who received his VC for bravery in the Iraq war, and Hammersmith and Fulham Mayor Cllr Mercy Umeh.
'It's terribly important to remember what they did'
Speaking after the ceremony, Company Sergeant Major George Evan’s great grandson Jonathan Fisher said: “I’m very proud. It’s a real honour.
"He was a very modest man and we’ve got to be proud, as we all have of any ancestor who served.
“It’s terribly important to remember what they did and this was a fabulous ceremony.”
Others attending the service at the memorial, in Vicarage garden in Fulham High Street, included soldiers from his regiment, clergy, H&F councillors, Chelsea Pensioners and cadets.
