A SOLDIER who served in the First World War has been honoured for his service on the 100th anniversary of his death.

George Bentley Shepherd, born in 1892 in Orford, served in The Machine Gun Corps, known today as The Royal Tank Regiment.

Veterans and serving members of this regiment, the oldest tank unit in the world, visited his grave in Warrington Cemetery to clean it, lay wreaths and ensure his memory lives on.

Chris Young, a former sergeant from Great Sankey, responded to a plea from the First Tank Crews, a group dedicated to celebrating the lives of those who fought in tanks in France, 1916 and Palestine, 1917.

The 68-year-old said: "It's their business to honour the First Tank Crews on the 100th anniversary of their demise.

"They look for people who would be able to go and visit the graves.

"The First Tank Crews then send a wreath replacement.

"This was the first one I have done but there's been more than 100 graves visited and 40 have been cleaned up."

George's grave was overgrown and fresh gravel was used to make it more presentable.

He served as a butcher in the West Lancashire Division Transport and Supply Column in 1912, which was based in Warrington.

George achieved rapid promotion as second corporal, corporal, sergeant, and after joining the Army Service Corps he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

A description of this accolade reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and skill in driving the tank of his section commander throughout an action.

"It was entirely due to Pte. Shepherd's skill and courage that it reached its objective and was successfully withdrawn."

He also served in the Mechanical School as an instructor and married Catherine (Katie) Young in 1917 in Edinburgh.

George died in 1919.

Chris, who served in The Royal Tank Regiment between 1972 and 1992, described it as 'one big family' who are keen to honour the bravery of people like George.

Speaking of fellow veterans and serving members, he added: "If you need assistance or help, anywhere in the country, there is someone there for you.

"There's always an ear for you."

Chris is appealing to any living relatives of George Shepherd to come forward.

THE MYSTERIOUS END OF GEORGE SHEPHERD >

THE death of George Shepherd remains a mystery to this day after he unexpectedly killed himself and his wife.

He married Catherine (Katie) Young, a train conductress, in Edinburgh on November 15, 1917. 

George became a motor garage manager and the couple lived in Manningham Road, Liverpool. 

Just two years later, on November 28, 1919, George jumped out of bed in his pyjamas, threatening to kill himself. 

Katie found the 27-year-old in their kitchen and tried to stop him.

George picked up a revolver and shot her.

Theories have been put forward as to what caused George to kill both himself and Katie.

Information from The First Tank Crews concluded: "One reason was that his private life was complicated. 

"Another is that he was suffering from some form of mental illness, possibly as a result of his war experiences. 

"The third is that he was simply a bad man.

"We do not know and we will never know what happened in his head. 

"What we do know is that he was a tankie, but not just any tankie, one of the original tankies who went into action in September 1916- and he was a brave tankie. 
"His Distinguished Conduct Medal is testimony to that."