A hero is to be acknowledged after his grave lay forgotten and neglected for more than a century.

Matthew Hughes was buried in Undercliffe cemetery in 1882 with little to suggest the selfless acts of bravery that had won him his country's highest award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross.

Hughes' actions would have continued to go unremembered if it had not been for retired soldier Samuel Tidd who visited the overgrown grave last year.

Mr Tidd, a former Royal Engineer, was so upset that Bradford had forgotten its hero that he made it his personal crusade to give Hughes the recognition he deserved.

David Tomlins, speaking on behalf of his friend Mr Tidd who is profoundly deaf, said: "We felt strongly that there are so many Crimean War Victoria Cross winners unrecognised in paupers' graves that we had to do something.

"A man that has won the highest award for valour should not lay in an unmarked grave."

Mr Tidd, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, mobilised an effort which will culminate on Monday March 9 with a full military rededication service of the grave.

A new headstone recording Hughes' award will also be unveiled at the ceremony.

The headstone, which incorporates an intricate carving of a Victoria Cross by expert mason David Bedford, has been donated by Russell Stone Merchants of Ripley Road, Bradford.

Paul Jackson, Russell's Technical Director, who oversaw the carving of the stone, said: "We decided to do this because it highlights the fact that Bradford people do care a great deal about their history.

"As a long established Bradford firm we also wanted to put something back into the community."

A detachment of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, led by Major Colin Bowes-Crick, will attend the ceremony which will include the laying of a wreath and a bugler who will perform the traditional last post and reveille. Honorary chaplain of the Regiment, the Canon Keith Ponshaw of Ripon Cathedral, will conduct the ceremony.

Major Bowes-Crick said: "Mr Tidd deserves a great deal of credit for organising this event and the stone masons have also been brilliant providing the stone free of charge."

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