TODAY Bradford Grammar School will hold a commemoration marking the centenary of the death of an ‘old boy’

in the First World War.

The event, attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, is part of an ongoing series of such commemorations at the school.

Also attending are members of Bus to Bradford, a group of Bradford City supporters who raised funds for a Bradford Pals memorial in France.

What makes today’s commemoration particularly significant to the group is that this Bradford Pal was John Ayrton, the son of Alfred Ayrton, the first chairman of Bradford City football club.

One of the first to join the Pals, in September 1914, John was a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, which had strong links with the Bradford Territorials (6th West Yorks) at nearby Belle Vue Barracks. John was initially posted to ‘A’ Company and embarked for the Western Front in April, 1915. The battalion spent early weeks around Laventie and Neuve Chapelle and in June moved up to the Ypres Salient.

John was shot through the chest on July 27,1915 and spent three days at the First Aid Post then the Base Hospital at Etaples and eventually at a hospital in England. After a period of recovery, he was attached to the 3/6th West Yorks from October, 1915. Passed fit for service, he was accepted for officer training and, early in 1917, returned to the Western front, later replacing an officer casualty in the 1st Bn West Yorks, serving east of Loos, this sector now involved in the Battle of Arras. As an officer, John Ayrton merited his name mentioned in the battalion war diary - tragically, this would amount to only two such entries within 48 hours: “It is known that John Ayrton received a gunshot wound to his head and a compound fracture. He was taken to the 33rd Casualty Clearing station at Bethune where he died of his wounds and was buried in the town cemetery the following day.”

Several years ago Andy Tyne from Bus to Bradford visited John Ayrton’s niece, Mary Needham, who had inherited his medals and other mementos. Mary died late last year and the Bus to Bradford group discovered a set of medals placed on an internet auction site, simply under the name J.Ayrton. “A little checking showed these to be John Ayrton’s medals,” says Bus to Bradford life president David Whithorn.

The group obtained the medals against stiff bidding contest and member Stuart Kilminster, formerly of the 1st Bn Prince of Prince of Wales's own, Regiment of Yorkshire, has mounted and framed them in tribute to an ‘old comrade’.

It is planned that John’s medals and story will go on display at Undercliffe Cemetery where his family is buried.

“This weekend is City’s final league game of the season,” said Mr Whithorn. “The rescue of these medals, belonging to the son of the club’s first chairman will hopefully bring the club the success they deserve!"