THE family of a Monmouthshire soldier who heroically saved the life of his commanding officer almost exactly 100 years ago have paid tribute to him.

Lance Corporal Major Phillips was born in Monmouth on October 14 1884 and later moved to Torfaen Terrace, Pontnewynydd. Working as a coal miner, he married his wife Florence on New Year’s Day 1905 at Abersychan Church and together the couple had five children before he enlisted in the 11th battalion of the South Wales Borders in December 1915.

His granddaughter Shirley Spann said as a child she was often told how, on July 11 1916 during the first Battle of the Somme at Mametz Wood, her grandfather carried his wounded commanding officer Raymond Parry four miles across no-man’s land.

“As small children were told of this heroic deed and how he brought Raymond back across no man’s land to safety,” she said.

“For this wonderful deed Raymond presented my grandfather with a wonderfully inscribed cigarette case, with deep appreciation and everlasting gratitude.

“My cousin Brian Phillips is the custodian of this cigarette case.”

Although Mr Parry survived the war and lived until around 1963, Lance Corporal Phillips was killed in action on July 31 1917. No remains were recovered but his name is on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

Ms Spann added Mr Parry had sent Lance Corporal Phillips’ widow a Christmas hamper each year and one of his great-grandchildren had recently got in touch through an online forum and had been grateful to learn more about the man who saved his great-grandfather’s life.

She added his name had lived on within the family, with a number of younger members given the name Major in his honour.

The battle in Mametz Wood saw 4,000 Welsh soldiers killed or injured in an attempt to capture the woodland from an elite regiment of Prussian Guards, eventually succeeding after five days of bloody fighting.

A nine-foot dragon memorial to those who fought and died in the battle was built in the village of Mametz in 1987.