VIDEO and PICTURES: Stone laid for Tipton war hero who earned the Victoria Cross

He was 'one of the bravest of the brave' - Corporal Joseph Davies saved the lives of eight comrades during the Battle of the Somme.

His heroic actions at Delville Wood on July 20 1916 later saw the dedicated soldier from Tipton awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V.

This incredibly bravery was celebrated on Saturday when a memorial stone honouring Corporal Davies was unveiled by his family at Victoria Park to ensure he is always remembered in his hometown.

Born on April 28, 1889, in Nock Street, Tipton, the military was in his blood as his father John had served with the Royal Fusiliers in India and the Afghanistan campaign of 1878 to 1880.

After attending Great Bridge Council School he went on to work at Old Park Works in Wednesbury before leaving to join the army in 1909. He was serving in India when the First World War broke out was soon re-deployed to France. But in March 1915, he suffered shrapnel wounds to the head before having his knuckles smashed by a German bayonet a few months later. He was then on garrison duty in Gibraltar while he recuperated. In May 1916, now a corporal, he was sent to the 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the Somme.

Delville Wood was heavily defended by German troops and on July 20 the Fusiliers were ordered to attack and three companies were deployed on the mission. As they attacked, the German soldiers launched their own counter-attack. They were successfully beaten off but then came back a second time. The Welsh continues to attack but in the general confusion they were were fired upon by adjacent British troops.

During this time, Corporal Davies and eight men became separated from the rest of their company and suddenly found themselves surrounded. He managed to get his men into a shell hole and by throwing bombs and opening rapid fire he succeeded in routing the Germans. Not content with this, he chased after them and bayoneted several of them.

Corporal Davies's bravery that day was witnessed by an officer who reported it and he received his Victoria Cross from King George V on October 7 1916 at Buckingham Palace. Civic receptions were also held in his honour in Tipton and Wednesbury.

He survived the war and went on to live in Bournemouth until his death on February 16, 1976, aged 86. He was married to Elsie and had two daughters Irene and Victoria as well as four grandsons and six great-grandchildren.

Recounting his bravery at Saturday's unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Royal British Legion members and civic dignitaries, historian Andrew Johnson said: "We're here to remember one of the bravest of the brave, one of our own, Tipton's Joseph John Davies VC."

A parade of standard bearers and a military band took place before the Last Post sounded out and the stone was unveiled at the base of the park's war memorial in front of a crowd.

Corporal Davies's proud grandsons Mike Howard, 63, and Bernard Harvey, 66, and great-grandson Ian Harvey, 36, travelled from Dorset for the celebration event.

"We are really proud. We've grown up with it but I didn't realise how special he was to people in Tipton," said Bernard.

He said although his grandfather would talk about what happened, he never bragged or went into great detail about his war experiences, adding: "He was very matter of fact about it all."

Mr Howard said if his modest grandfather had been around today, he would have been embarrassed by all of the attention.

"He would have been proud but he wouldn't have liked all the pomp and circumstance," he added.

The unveiling was part of a community history day co-ordinated by the Tipton branch of the Royal British Legion at Victoria Park.

Reporter Heather Large tweeted from the event: