VC hero Sidney Godley honoured with paving stone A World War I hero from East Grinstead will be one of the first in the UK to be honoured in a new government scheme to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the conflict. Pte Sidney Godley was sent to the Western Front soon after the war broke out in 1914. Despite having a bullet in his skull, he managed to defend a bridge in Mons, protecting British soldiers. He was awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) in recognition of this. A commemorative paving stone will now be laid in his home town as part of a scheme to honour all 480 WWI recipients of the VC.