TWO Gwent war heroes who fought in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War were honoured on Anzac Day on Saturday.

Naval sea man William Charles Williams, from Chepstow, and Private William Weale, from Aberbeeg, both died in one of the First World War’s bloodiest campaigns that saw 58,000 Allied troops perish.

Mr Williams, from Chepstow, was just 32 when he died on April 25 1915. Chest deep in water, he helped troops at Dardanelles get to shore by holding transport barges together and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

In tribute to him, on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the campaign, a procession assembled at the war memorial at Chepstow memorial on Saturday. More than 100 people were present to witness it.

Representatives from the First Batallion Rifle and HMS Cambria and HMS Flying Fox; the President of the Royal Navy Association, Commander Wilson; Cllr Ned Heywood, town mayor of Chepstow; AM for Monmouth, Nick Ramsay; Monmouthshire parliamentary candidate David Davies; and the Severn Tunnel Brass Band were all in attendance.

A short service was led by Revd Christopher Blanchard before the procession disembarked to St Mary’s Priory for a re-dedication of a painting in Mr Williams’ memory.

The painting, Landing at V Beach on April 25, by Charles Dixon was first unveiled in the church on January 8 1922 but has recently been restored with funding from Chepstow Town Council.

Paul Boushein, 50, Mr Williams’ great nephew, said: “We have to make sure that our heroes from the First World War are not forgotten.

“It’s great to see the whole town stop in tribute. People really gathered around and you couldn’t hear a pin drop.

“There is real respect for these war heroes and we have to honour them.”

Meanwhile, in Blaenau Gwent, a service was held at St Illtyd’s Church in Aberbeeg to remember Private Weale, of the Second Batallion of the South Wales Borderers. More than 70 people were in attendance.

Mr Weale had been badly wounded in Gallipoli and died at the age of 42 after returning home to Llanhilleth on May 12, 1916.

In tribute to his efforts, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission donated a new headstone.

Mr Weale’s grandson, Brian Webley, 78, from Llanhilleth said: “This is a great tribute and I can’t thank the commission and the Royal British Legion enough.

“I grew up with stories of my grandfather and how he died of his war wounds.

“It’s still inspiring today.”

Peter Williams, 76, a member of the Friends of St Illtyd’s Church, added: “We have to keep the memory of these men alive and I’ve just been so inspired by Private Weale.

“A service like today has brought his family together.”