A stone commemorating a Surbiton First World War hero was unveiled on Saturday.

Surrey Comet:

The memorial in Ewell Road honours Douglas Belcher, the former Tiffin School pupil who received the Victoria Cross for his outstanding bravery at the Battle of Ypres in 1915.

The Surbiton native, born in 1889, was recognised for holding back the German army despite having the support of just a handful of men during the battle.

Surrey Comet:

Douglas Belcher received the VC for his heroics at the Battle of Ypres in 1915 

The unveiling was attended by guests from around the country, including fellow VC recipient Johnson Beharry, 35, who was given the country's highest award for valour in 2005 for twice saving members of his unit during ambushes in the Iraq, sustaining serious injuries.

Mayor Ken Smith unveiled the stone during the ceremony.

He said: “People came not just from the borough but from all over the country to see the unveiling.

“This is a part of their history that the people Surbiton can be extremely proud of.”

After the war Belcher continued his work in the forces, serving in Mesopotamia during the Arab rising of 1921 and later in Burma.

He retired in 1922 as a captain, but rejoined when the Second World War broke out.

Belcher died in 1953 aged 63 and is buried in Claygate.