THE bravery of a Barrow-born war hero who continuously threw bombs for 41 hours to protect his fellow men was recognised this morning. 

The family of Lieutenant William Forshaw VC and local dignitaries attended a ceremony in Barrow Park for a plaque unveiling.

Lt Forshaw, who was widely known as the 'Cigarette VC' because he chain-smoked through the battle, was born in Sutherland Street, Barrow, in 1890, and carried out his Victoria Cross winning actions at Gallipoli.

He is regarded as personally holding off advancing Turks by lighting bomb fuses with his cigarette and throwing them at the enemy from August 7 to August 9 1915.

Lt Forshaw's great nephew, Frank Wilcox, from Blackpool, attended the unveiling today and said he was incredibly proud.

He said: "It was a nice ceremony and I think the position chosen for the paving stone is perfect.

"Some people are very surprised that one of our family members got a Victoria Cross and they are obviously very impressed.

"The whole idea of commemorating the First World War heroes is fantastic."

In August 2013, then communities secretary Eric Pickles announced a nationwide campaign to honour those who received the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military honour, during the First World War.

Lt Forshaw's plaque is positioned on the way to the Cenotaph.