Listen to Bill Cotgrove, Military Medal, speaking at the age of 100, (1996) about his life-long hope to visit the grave of a dear chum.

Then a year later a coach party of English students touring the First World War battlefields of the Somme sang an impromptu happy birthday to Bill on his 101st birthday.

Watch the birthday video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qNfP...

It was a remarkable tribute to a remarkable man.

Bill won the Military Medal during the Great War when he led 12 men and horses loaded with shells to rearm forward batteries that were running out of ammunition just off the infamous Menin Road in France.

They returned at least four times, and, despite coming under heavy fire, none of the men or horses stopped a shell - because Bill knew a shortcut and was able to lead them through the valley of the shadow of death.

Amid the now grassy trenches of Beaumont Hamel, near Arras, where the 1st Newfoundland Regiment was virtually annihilated, teenage students gave Bill three cheers in recognition of his bravery and longevity.

The chance meeting at a memorial park transformed their academic exercise into a flesh and blood reminder of the millions who never made it home.

Looking sprightly, Australian cane in hand, and unbowed by the years, Bill was happy to pose for photographs for the young people,

"Merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup," he chortled in his London accent, delighting well-wishers with his schoolboy French picked up during nearly four years war service which only concluded with the Armistice.

It was the first time that Bill, who lived with his devo