The blue and white sign fixed above the door of the house where the VC recipient lived, in Greys Road, Old Town, was ceremoniously revealed on Tuesday.

Nelson Victor Carter was born in Eastbourne on the April 9, 1887.

He grew up in Hailsham and died leading the big push on the Somme on June 30, 1916.

He was survived by a wife and child who still lived at the Greys Road address when Mrs Carter was invited to receive the Victoria Cross from the King on her husband's behalf, in May 1917.

The hero had been one of the first to enlist with Lowther's Own on the outbreak of war, promoted corporal on the same day, then sergeant and later Warrant Officer Class II.

He was with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

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Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex Hugh Wyatt, president of the Royal Sussex Regiment Association, unveiled the plaque.

He said, "He is a very famous son of Eastbourne and it's a very good thing to mark the place where he lived."

The VC was awarded to Carter for 'conspicuous bravery'.

The citation read, "Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs.

"When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver.

"Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes.

"His conduct throughout the day was magnificent."

MP Nigel Waterson said, "It's important to pay tribute to this sort of bravery from an earlier generation and I congratulate all those involved in the fundraising and organisation of this plaque."

The event was followed with a reception at the Redoubt Fortress, where the VC has been on display since his daughter's death in 2001, courtesy of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Colour Sergeant Nelson Carter is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Churchyard, Laventie, France.


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