FIRST World War enthusiasts made a pilgrimage to the memorial to a Keighley brewery’s Victoria Cross hero.

Arthur Poulter worked for Ingrow-based Timothy Taylor before joining the Army to fight on the Western Front.

During intense fighting in April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive, Arthur, a stretcher bearer, rescued dozens of men.

The Bradford WWI Group, which has members from Keighley, Silsden, Denholme Gate and Wilsden, recently travelled to France.

A highlight of their visit was a short ceremony at the memorial to Arthur Poulter VC and the placing of a poppy cross.

Arthur lived in Leeds before the war and worked a drayman with Timothy Taylor, working out of its brewery at Gelderd Road.

WWI Group spokesman Tricia Restorick said: “It was to this hard, physical work that Arthur later ascribed the reserves of strength which enabled him to carry out the enormous feat for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

“The WWI Group were very grateful for a supply of Poulter’s Porter donated by Timothy Taylor’s brewery for the occasion.”

When he performed his heroic deeds, Arthur was with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment trying to prevent the Germans crossing the River Lys.

During the barrage of heavy artillery and machine guns, stretcher bearer Arthur worked alone to bring wooded men back from no man’s land.

He went out 10 times, each time returning with a man on his back, and even after a withdrawal had been ordered, Arthur returned yet again for another man.

The citation for Arthur’s VC described how he bandaged up over 40 men under fire and “set a splendid example to all ranks”. A little while later he was wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.

Arthur survived the war and returned home to Leeds, having 13 children with wife Ada. He died in 1956.