A memorial has taken place to commemorate a Westminster war hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for the bravery and sacrifice he displayed during the First World War.
A commemorative stone in memory of Lance Corporal (later Lieutenant) Leonard Keysor of the 1st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, was unveiled following a service at Victoria Embankment on July 7.
Lt Keysor was awarded a VC for his actions on August 7 1915 at Lone Pine, Gallipoli for “most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Lone Pine trenches in Gallipoli Peninsula”.
He picked up two live bombs and threw them back at the enemy at great risk to his own life, and continued throwing bombs, although himself wounded, thereby saving a portion of the trench which it was most important to hold.
The service was attended by Westminster City Council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Rachael Robathan and the Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Christabel Flight, who unveiled the paving stone alongside past, present and future representatives from the Royal British Legion, HQ London District and Army Cadets.
Guests were joined at the ceremony by a class from Westminster Cathedral Catholic Primary school as two pupils read epitaphs having learnt about Leonard Keysor as part of the Community Covenant Grant Scheme.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Christobel Flight said: “In Westminster we have built this memorial for residents and visitors to observe and remember our local heroes. By 2018, the paving stones here will be replaced with an engraved stone representing each of the local Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War.”
The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious honour bestowed on any serviceman who showed exceptional courage in the face of the enemy.
Lt Keysor was the third of ten Westminster residents who received the Victoria Cross during the First World War.
