TRIBUTE was paid to a WWI hero from Dumbarton who achieved the country’s highest honour with the unveiling of a memorial paving stone at the Cenotaph in Levengrove Park.

Depute Provost Karen Conaghan unveiled the tribute to John Brown Hamilton VC in front of assembled guests – including his grandchildren – on Saturday.

Mr Hamilton VC was born in Dumbarton on August 26, 1896 and was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1917 for his actions during the Battle of Passchendaele, in Belgium.

He died on July 18 1973, in East Kilbride, and his ashes were scattered at Daldowie Crematorium.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that British or Commonwealth service personnel can receive.

As part of the commemorations of the centenary of the Great War, the UK Government began laying paving stones in the home towns of each UK Victoria Cross recipient on or near the anniversary date of their act of gallantry.

Depute Provost Conaghan told the Reporter: “The Victoria Cross is linked to acts of extreme bravery and the early paperwork associated with the medal stated that it should only be awarded for gallantry of the highest order.

“It gives me great pleasure that we now have a permanent tribute to Mr John Brown Hamilton VC right here in the town where he was born.”

Lance Corporal John Brown Hamilton was just 21-years-old and a member of the 1/9th Glasgow Highlanders Battalion when he displayed the bravery that saw him being awarded the Victoria Cross.

During the Battle of Passchendaele, the British front line forces were under intense artillery fire, making it very difficult for ammunition supply routes to be maintained.

As supplies reached a dangerously low level, Lance-Corporal Hamilton repeatedly carried ammunition through bursts of enemy fire to supply the front line soldiers.

Depute Provost Conaghan added: “I know that John Brown Hamilton VC’s family is very proud of his actions on that day and I, once again, thank them for his service. Few of us will ever experience anything close to the horror and terror that he did and it says so much about his character that he acted so bravely in the face of such adversity.”

Also at the ceremony were Lord Lieutenant Michael Gregory; Vice Lord Lieutenant Gill Aitkenhead; Deputy Lieutenant Owen Sayers; Deputy Lieutenant Lumsden Mathieson, and local politicians.

Depute Provost Conaghan welcomed guests to West Kirk Dumbarton Church Hall afterwards.