Members of the public are being asked to attend a ceremony marking the life and gallantry of a First World War hero after organisers were unable to track down any members of his family.

Kensington and Chelsea Council is laying a paving stone in memory of Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross following his death 100 years ago on Monday (April 25).

In the absence of relatives, the council wants to see as many people as possible attend the service to remember the heroic efforts of the Kensington -born hero.

Little is known about Mr Firman VC. He was born on November 24 1886 and was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the conflict.

He died on April 24 1916, aged 29, after volunteering to lead the crew of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve SS Julnar on a mission to get 270 tons of supplies through to forces besieged in Kut-el-Amara, in present day Iraq.

The stone will be laid outside the front of South Kensington Tube station on Monday, nearly 100 years on to the day of his death, in a ceremony starting at 11am.

Borough mayor Robert Freeman will take part in the ceremony and urged members of the public to attend and pay their respects.

He said: “Humphrey Firman was a remarkable man. His gallantry in trying to help the besieged defenders of Kut-el-Almera is inspiring.

“When events have happened so long ago it can prove difficult to trace extended family members to come to ceremonies such as this.

“I hope that residents and visitors to the borough who read about Humphrey Firman’s heroic sacrifice will find time to join me remembering his gallantry.

“He and all those who fought to defend our way of life deserve to be remembered and honoured.”

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.