A Warsop road is to be renamed in honour of a first world war hero from the town.

Sgt Robert Bye was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery on 31st July, 1917, at the Yser Canal, Belgium.

One hundred years later new road signs have been put in place to rename the Warsop inner relief road the Robert Bye Way.

A dedication event will be held on 30th July at 3pm in the car park on Robert Bye Way, followed by a service in Warsop Parish Church at 4pm, when a plaque in his honour will be placed in the church.

Project co-ordinator Adrian Hardy said that when he interviewed Sgt Bye’s surviving daughter, Mrs Mary Moody, in 2005, she described her father as a modest man who hardy ever spoke about his VC.

Adrian said that was why the road was named the Robert Bye Way and made no reference to his war medal.

Upon receiving the award Sgt Bye is reported to have said he was proud of the honour, but he only went to France to do what millions of others were doing — their duty.

Born in Pontpridd, Wales, Sgt Bye moved to Warsop in 1925 with his wife, Mabel, and they had two sons and two daughters. Mary still lives in Warsop.

Sgt Bye worked at Warsop and Welbeck collieries and was also a temporary constable at Mansfield. He took an active part in Royal British Legion activities.

He died in Warsop in 1962 and was buried in Warsop Cemetery with full military honours.

Sgt Robert Bye’s citation said:

For most conspicuous bravery. Sgt Bye displayed the utmost courage and devotion to duty during an attack on the enemy’s position.

Seeing that the leading waves were being troubled by two enemy blockhouses, he, on his own initiative, rushed at one of them and put the garrison out of action.

He then rejoined his company and went forward to the assault of the second objective.

When the troops had gone forward to the attack on the third objective, a party was detailed to clear up a line of blockhouses which had been passed. Sgt Bye volunteered to take charge of this party, accomplished his objective, and took many prisoners.

He subsequently advanced to the third objective, capturing a number of prisoners, thus rendering invaluable assistance to the assaulting companies.

He displayed throughout the most remarkable initiative.