A newly built road has been named in honour of a Victoria Cross recipient.

The family of First World War hero William Young, from Strood, traveled to Lancashire to mark the occasion and cut the ceremonial ribbon with the Deputy Mayor of Preston.

William Young’s grandson, also called William Young, great granddaughter Glynis Buckingham and great grandson Terry Young, along with other family members, Clive and Luke Buckingham all made the trip to Preston to honour their forefather.

William Young, 89, said all servicemen deserve to be remembered.

“It has been the family’s honour to mark the opening of the new road in respect of my grandfather’s bravery and thank you to Preston for remembering him in this way,” he said.

“Although we are very proud of William Young, let us not forget that all the men who have served to protect our country are all heroes.

“I remember being evacuated to Preston in the Second World War and when I arrived, I stood at Preston train station as a child watching all the thousands of young men in uniform marching past me to go and serve on the front line.

It is something I will never forget and that changed me forever

“It is something I will never forget and that changed me forever.”

The war veteran was born in Scotland in 1876 but was a Preston resident where he was eventually buried in a civic funeral, attended by thousands lining the route, in 1916.

Young joined the army in 1899 and served during with the 1st Battalion of The East Lancashire Regiment during the Second Boer War.

The VC winner was recalled for military service on the outbreak of the First World War despite being 38-years-old and having nine children.

After seeing action at the battles of the Marne, Young was then wounded at the battle of Ypres in November 1914.

Despite his wounds Young transferred to the 8th (S) Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment where on December 22 1915, east of Foncquevillers, France, he saw from his trench that a sergeant was lying wounded in front of the wire.

Acting without orders he climbed over the parapet and went to rescue his sergeant.

Young was hit by two bullets which shattered his jaw and entered his chest but along with another soldier who came to assist, brought the wounded sergeant back to safety.

After his heroics Young received a civic welcome and reception on his return to Preston in April 1916 but spent the next four months in hospital and died aged 40.