A BRAVE First World War soldier was honoured in a commemorative service yesterday, 100 years after he was awarded a Victoria Cross.

Sergeant Arthur Knight was born in Haywards Heath in 1886.

He emigrated to Canada in 1911 where he worked as a carpenter until he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on December 19, 1914.

He joined the 46th Battalion and was sent overseas in 1915, joining the 10th Infantry Battalion (Alberta Regiment)in France where he served for three years as part of the 1st Canadian Division.

In November 1917 he received the Croix de Guerre from the Belgian government.

On August 10, 1918, he was appointed to the rank of acting sergeant.

It was on September 2, 1918, during the Second Battle of Arras around the Drocourt-Quéant Line, which was part of the German trench system, that Sergeant Knight faced action that ultimately led to him his posthumous Victoria Cross for his exemplary conduct.

He died of his wounds the following day and is buried at Dominion Cemetery in Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt in Pas-de-Calais, France.

His Victoria Cross is on display at the Military Museums of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Back in England, his name appears on the Haywards Heath War Memorial.

In 2013, Mid Sussex District Council agreed to name a residential road Knight Close in his honour.

In August 2014, Haywards Heath Town Council placed a marble memorial plaque to Sergeant Knight under the portico of the town hall entrance in Boltro Road.

This was made possible by the Royal British Legion from funds left over from its restoration of the Great War memorial in Western Road cemetery in February 2013.

Yesterday, Haywards Heath Town Council, in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council, honoured Sergeant Knight’s bravery.

The service included the unveiling of a commemorative stone which took place at the Haywards Heath War Memorial at Muster Green, hosted by Haywards Heath town mayor Councillor James Knight and Mid Sussex District Council chairman Councillor Bruce Forbes.

Everyone was welcome to attend the service, which was supported by the Haywards Heath Royal British Legion and led by Reverend Ray Smith from St Wilfrid’s Church.

Senior members of the regiment in which Sergeant Knight served, The Calgary Highlanders (10th Canadians), were in attendance.