A Royal Navy Submarine Commander from Bromley who served in the First World War has been honoured with a commemorative stone.

Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Saxton White was born in Shortlands, Bromley and was honoured this week (January 29) with a Victoria Cross 100 years after his death in January 1918.

His grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren came together for the ceremony at the Bromley War Memorial in Martins Hill where the commemorative stone was unveiled.

Councillor Colin Smith, leader of Bromley Council, said:"Everyone present could not have failed to have been struck by the poignant and very moving peace and calm the ceremony was held in on a windswept January morning in Bromley, compared to the terror and violence faced by Lieutenant Commander White and his brave crew in the Dardanelles exactly 100 years ago last Sunday.

"The commemorative stones being placed in the birthplaces of such gallant individuals across our Country, are designed not only to recognise the brave individuals in question, but also to remind us all of the incredible bravery and sacrifice displayed by so many others during the awful conflicts in which they had to fight.

"We very much hope that this stone, and the reasons for its installation, will serve as a reminder and inspiration to us all, of the debt our generations owe to those who went before us. Their bravery and selflessness must never be forgotten, we owe them everything we are today.”

In a joint statement made by Geoffrey Saxton White's grandchildren, Nicola Higgins, Richard Campbell and Lyn Shore said: “We are of course very proud of our Grandfather’s award of the Victoria Cross.

"His act of bravery as a submariner meant he never had the opportunity to meet his daughter Sheila, our mother, as she was born in May 1917 when her father was stationed in the Mediterranean and he was never to return to England.

"We would like to thank all the organisations and authorities for giving us the opportunity of recognising the sacrifice our Grandfather, Geoffrey Saxton White made during the First World War."

Lieutenant Commander White was killed by shell fire on board a submarine on January 28, 1919.

Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson, Director Submarine Capability MOD, said: "It is humbling to have been invited to the unveiling of this plaque today, which demonstrates the great pride which the country takes in the conspicuous courage shown by Bromley-born Lt Cdr Geoffrey Saxton White.

"We in the Royal Navy Submarine Service share this pride. Courage is the fuel which drove the Submarine Service then and which still drives us today; it is key to our ethos of absolute professionalism.

"The kind of selfless courage shown by Lt Cdr Saxton White, where he put his duty to the welfare of others before his own, is what we all aspire to. It is what enables us to continue to protect our nation’s interests.”