The decorations and medals awarded to George Sanders. From left to right: Victoria Cross, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal

HE was a Holbeck lad and War hero, who won a Victoria Cross for his extraordinary courage on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Now the VC, awarded to George Sanders, for fighting off German attacks for 36 hours, despite being hugely outnumbered, is going under the hammer.

With his Military Cross, which he won later in the war, and other medals, the collection could fetch up to £220,000 at an auction in London on March 1.

At Leeds Minster last year, the focus was on Corporal Sanders, as the nation fell silent to to honour thousands of soldiers killed in the Battle of the Somme 100 years after the bloodiest day inBritish military history.

Cpl Sanders, who enlisted in the Leeds Rifles, took charge of an isolated group of men cut off as the British offensive ground to a halt. Impressing on them it was "his and their duty to hold theposition at all costs" they fought desperate actions, all without food and water, returning to British lines with 19 of his comrades.

"It was astonishing gallantry from a young corporal who had been in the Army for just over 18 months," said Pierce Noonan, director of auction house Dix, Noonan Webb.

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Leeds Somme hero's medals go under hammer(www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/leeds-somme-hero-s-medals-go-under-hammer-1-8381246)