THE TOWN of his birth has honoured the former head teacher of Blackmoor school for bravery in World War One that earned him the country’s highest award for gallantry.

Tom Edwin Adlam was born in Salisbury on October 21, 1893, and on September 27, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme the 22-year-old led an attack on German positions.

For his courage during the attack on the French village Thiepval he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His VC citation read: "A portion of a village which had defied capture on the previous day had to be captured at all costs to permit subsequent operations to develop.

"This minor operation came under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire.

"Second Lieutenant Adlam realising that time was all important, rushed from shell hole to shell hole under heavy fire collecting men for a sudden rush, and for this purpose also collected many enemy grenades.

At this stage he was wounded in the leg, but nevertheless he was able to out throw the enemy and then seizing his opportunity, and in spite of his wound, he led a rush, captured the position and killed the occupants.

"Throughout the day he continued to lead his men in bombing attacks.

"On the following day he again displayed courage of the highest order, and though again wounded and unable to throw bombs, he continued to lead his men. His magnificent example and valour, coupled with the skilful handling of the situation, produced far-reaching results.”

After the war he became head teacher at Blackmoor school, but re-enlisted for World War Two, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Afterward the conflict he returned to Blackmoor and teaching, calling the village home until he died.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, exactly a hundred years after his bravery in France, his childhood town of Salisbury paid tribute to him.

During the ceremony his son Clive Adlam (87) unveiled a commemorative paving stone at the War Memorial in the Guildhall Square.

Salisbury’s Lord Mayor Derek Brown OBE, himself a former Army Officer, was also in attendance, as was the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Rose.

Also at the ceremony were civic dignitaries, representatives of the Armed Forces, Veterans and members of the public.

And nearly 30 of the Adlam family were also there, including his great, great grand-daughter Millie Chandler, aged eight, who had been given special permission to have the day off school.

During the service, his VC citation was read and an address by his son Clive Adlam revealed his father had been a keen sportsman, playing cricket and football at county level.

He died aged 81 on May 28, 1975, whilst on a family holiday at Hayling Island. He is buried in the churchyard of St Matthew’s church at Blackmoor.

Unusually, Adlam’s VC and other medals are still in family ownership, but are on display in Salisbury Guildhall.