DESCENDANTS of a Great War naval hero have gathered in Swanage a century after the sailor won Britain's highest honour for bravery.

Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Ernest Pitcher, who is buried at the town's Northbrook Cemetery, won the Victoria Cross for action at the Bay of Biscay during August 1917.

Members of Poole and District Royal Marines Association organised the commemoration, which included wreath laying at Ernest's graveside and a service at Swanage's St Mary's Church.

Ernest, who was born in Cornwall, died in Sherborne aged 57.

He won the Victoria Cross for action aboard HMS Dunraven, and after World War I went onto serve in World War II.

His grandson, Robin Sargeant, who lives in Dorset, said: "It really is a great honour for the family that granddad is remembered for his heroic actions.

"I remember him, although I was very young during World War II. He used to come home from being at sea and aways have time for everyone. I missed him when he died."

During the First World War, Ernest was one of the earliest recruits to the Q-ship programme. These were specially fitted, armed merchant ships designed to present easy targets for German U-boats.

When a U-boat surfaced, the Q-ship dropped the camouflage hiding its armament and opened fire.

"Petty Officer Pitcher was the crew chief for HMS Dunraven's single four-inch gun when it was attacked by the U-Boat UC71," a Royal Navy spokesman explained.

"A shell from submarine's deck gun struck the ship's poop deck where Pitcher's gun was disguised by a fake hatch and a phony laundry line.

"The shell set off one of the Dunraven's concealed depth charges, and while thick smoke obscured the hidden gun crew's view ports, a fire threatened to set off a magazine below."

Pitcher and his crew held their positions, hidden and concealed so as not to give the game away to the Germans, even lifting live ammunition off the burning deck, onto their knees, to prevent them exploding in the heat.

The spokesman continued: "Before Dunraven had a chance to spring its trap, a shell made a direct hit on the poop deck and blew it sky-high. Despite the devastation, the gun crew survived.

"However, Pitcher cartwheeled through the air and landed near the engine-room, sustaining wounds in several places."

HMS Dunraven engaged the U-boat, but in the ensuing battle came off second best.

Hit by a torpedo, Dunraven sank 36 hours later.