THE life of Herefordshire's only Victoria Cross recipient will be celebrated at a statue unveiling tomorrow.

A statue of Lance Corporal Allan Leonard Lewis VC will be officially unveiled on Friday, September 21, to commemorate 100 years to the day of his death in World War One.

Members of the A L Lewis VC Memorial Fund who have campaigned for the statue will be joined alongside dignitaries at the ceremony.

Dawn Lewis, Chair of the A L Lewis VC Memorial Fund and great-niece of Allan: “When I first thought of the idea of a statue, some said it was a wonderful thought yet an adventurous task. Through the hard work and commitment of my team, and with the support of all those who have contributed, whether it be monetary or by giving their time and skills, we have reached our goal.

"I am delighted to be able to commemorate Allan's short but heroic life with my family, trustees and supporters. Dreams do come true!”

Commemorations will begin in the gardens of Hereford Cathedral where The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford, will offer a prayer of dedication on a stone plaque set to honour the memory of Lance Corporal Lewis VC and all those awarded the Victoria Cross during The Great War.

The ceremony will then move to the Old Market where Major Alan Harrhy, Vice Chairman of A L Lewis VC Memorial Fund, will lead proceedings as the bronze statue of Lance Corporal Lewis VC is unveiled.

The statue was sculpted by Jemma Pearson who also created the Elgar statue which overlooks Hereford Cathedral.

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Dowager Countess of Darnley, will unveil the statue.

She said: "I am proud to represent Her Majesty to honour this heroic man on the centenary of the Great War’s end. Allan was an exceptionally brave man; to risk one’s life so courageously, knowing that the war was coming to an end, was an act of supreme selflessness.”

Lance Corporal Lewis was awarded the Victoria Cross for his acts of heroism when taking part in the final allied push to break the German Hindenburg Line in late 1918.

He was killed on September 21 1918, shortly before the war’s end. He has no known grave.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Chairman of Herefordshire Council, said: “Many individuals, charities, organisations and businesses have worked with Herefordshire Council in supporting the A L Lewis VC Memorial Fund by contributing funding, prizes, expertise and hard work to ensure that our brave local hero can be properly honoured in such a memorable way.”

The unveiling of the statue will begin at 9.55am.