THE descendent of one of the county's war heroes has been presented with a special poppy made to mark the centenary of the First World War's end.

The great great nephew of WC Williams was presented with the poppy bearing his ancestor's name.

Able Seaman Williams grew up in Chepstow, spending one period in the Royal Navy during which time he fought in the Second Boer War.

He rejoined the navy after the outbreak of the First World War.

In April 1915, he took part in the Gallipoli landings in Turkey, and died while helping other troops ashore.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross – the country's highest honour for bravery – for his actions, and Chepstow continues to recognise his heroism at the town gun, named in his honour, next to the cenotaph.

The poppy presented to Able Seaman Williams' descendent, Gordon Pidsley, was part of a display put together by Chepstow and District Round Table to mark the armistice centenary.

Mr Pidsley and his daughter, Emma Gudgeon, spotted the name of W C Williams on the display and asked if they could have the poppy.

Round Table chairman Simon Hicks presented him with the framed poppy.

The organisation decorated the town centre display with one red poppy representing each of the men from Chepstow who gave their lives during the First World War.

“The men of Chepstow gave their lives for our country," Mr Hicks said. "Round Table is an organisation for young men and those who did not return were just like us – this makes commemorating their sacrifice all the more important to us.

"Given this year marks 100 years since the end of hostilities in the First World War, we wanted to do something special.

“It was fantastic that Gordon spotted the name of his great, great uncle. He asked if he could have the poppy and we were only too delighted to present him with it.”