EAST Yorkshire's Great War heroes will be remembered with commemorative paving stones as part of Government plans to mark 100 years since the war began.
John "Jack" Harrison, from Hull, and Harry Blanshard Wood, from Newton-upon-Derwent, near Pocklington, received the Victoria Cross (VC) for their actions on the frontline.
With 2014 marking 100 years since the outbreak of the Great War, the Government is working on a series of national remembrance events.
As part of this programme, the Department of Communities and Local Government is designing and producing commemorative paving stones.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced a national competition to design the stones, which will be presented to councils in the areas where VC recipients were born.
Perris Coupland, chairman of the Hull branch of the Royal British Legion, has welcomed the idea.
He said: "A surprising number of people in Hull died during the First World War.
"This is a very good way of remembering them and I am all in favour of it. It also provides an opportunity to tell the younger generation about what happened as many of them don't have a clue.
"Anything that can record such heroic acts for posterity has to be a good thing."
Perhaps the most famous East Yorkshire recipient of the VC was Harrison, a professional Hull FC player.
Harrison was born in Southcoates Lane on November 12, 1890.
Not long after the birth of his son, Jackie, Harrison joined the East Yorkshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant.
In February 1917, the Hull brigade entered the frontline and on May 3, 1917, with the rest of his brigade, Harrison attacked a wood near Oppy, Pas-de-Calais.
His platoon became pinned down by machine gun fire. Harrison single-handedly made a dash at the machine-gun, hoping to knock it out. He was reported missing, believed killed.
Ward councillor for Southcoates West, Mary Glew, said: "The paving stones idea is a wonderful way to commemorate what these men did and sacrificed.
"I'm not sure where the paving stone will go but it would be great to have it in Southcoates Lane where he was born.
"It is part of our heritage and should be recognised. We are very proud of what Jack Harrison did."
Wood, who served as a corporal, was awarded Britain's supreme bravery award in 1918 for his heroic efforts while leading a platoon of men, under fire, in a French village. When Wood's sergeant was killed he took over command, showing disregard for his personal safety as he allowed his men to advance by laying down covering fire.
Later he drove off repeated enemy counter-attacks, contributing to the overall success of the operation.
Hull has another VC winner, Private John Cunningham, who was born in Scunthorpe, but lived and died in Hull.
On November 13, 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, Private Cunningham proceeded to a communication trench, where he met ten Germans.
He killed them and cleared the trench up to the enemy line.
Pte Cunningham, who served with 12th (S) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, died on February 20, 1941, at 5 Beaufort Terrace, Campbell Street, west Hull.
He is buried in the Western Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to enter the paving stone design competition should email VCdesigncomp@communities.gsi.gov.uk to submit their designs. The deadline for entries is Friday, October 4.
