A WREATH laying ceremony is to take place in Worcester on Saturday to honour a much decorated young First World War officer of the Worcestershire Regiment.

It will be held at the Worcestershire Regiment Memorial Stone in Gheluvelt Park at 11am in memory of 2nd Lt Edgar Kinghorn Myles, who was awarded both the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery under fire. Lt Myles saw service with the 9th Bn Worcestershire Regiment at Gallipoli, Egypt and Mesopotamia in the Tigris Campaign. He fought with the rear-guard at the evacuation at Suvla Bay and Helles in 1915/1916.

He was awarded his Victoria Cross at the age of only 21 at Sann-i-Yat, Mesopotamia, while the 9th Bn was trying to relieve Kut al-Amara on April 9, 1916. Technically Lt Myles was an officer of the Welch Regiment, but had served throughout the war with the 9th Bn and afterwards was transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment.

His citation reads: "Edgar Kinghorn Myles, Lieutenant, The Welch Regiment, for conspicuous bravery. He went out alone on several occasions in front of our advance trenches and under heavy rifle fire and at great personal risk, assisted wounded men lying in the open. On one occasion he carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under circumstances of great danger. He was also hit while carrying a wounded man, but carried on."

Lt Myles was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order on March 17, 1917. On January 25, 1917 with the 9th BN at Kut al-Amara, while he was acting captain, he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. The Citation for this reads: " For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When all but two of the Officers became casualties, he, for five hours, inspired confidence against two counter-attacks and sent back accurate and valuable reports of the situation. His courage and fine example were largely responsible for the steadiness of all ranks under him".

Capt E K Myles survived the war and eventually died on January 31, 1977, at the age of 82.

In November 1960 his decoration and medals came on the market and were bought by the Worcestershire Regiment. They are on display at the Regimental Museum at the City Museum and Art Gallery, Foregate Street, Worcester.