Two great-great grand-daughters of a war hero from Cardross have unveiled a memorial stone in his honour.

In a poignant ceremony at the People’s Palace in Glasgow, Iona, 10 and Torrin Scott-Elliot, 8, from Helensburgh, joined in a tribute to Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert Anderson, who was posthumously decorated with the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the First World War.

The girls, who attend Hermitage Primary School, were at the ceremony with family members, including grandchildren, great grandchildren and other great, great grandchildren of the heroic officer.

The ceremony, on the 100th anniversary of his death in France, was led by Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander, in her role as Lord Lieutenant, who said it was an immense privilege to join the family of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and reflect on his heroism.

Lt Col Anderson, affectionately known as Bertie, was the eldest of five brothers – four of whom fell in the Great War.

He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry presented to British and Commonwealth Forces, following his death on March 25, 1918.

The Lord Provost said: “He demonstrated extraordinary courage and saved the lives of many of his men.

“One hundred years ago his brave deeds were documented by the media in our city and beyond. By unveiling this commemorative paving stone today, we ensure his courage is remembered for posterity.”

Born in Glasgow on December 29, 1881, Bertie was the eldest son of a stockbroker and chartered accountant.

His first job was in the Glasgow accountancy firm Kerr Anderson and MacLeod, founded by his grandfather.

In 1908, he became a partner in the business and he and his wife Gertrude set up home at Tighcruachan, a 15-room villa in Cardross.

Bertie died defending an assault on British lines just eight months before the war ended – and only a week after his youngest brother Teddie’s death.

He was in command of the 12th Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry, the Glasgow Battalion, at Bois Faviere woods, near Maricourt when they came under attack and were forced to withdraw with heavy losses.

Bertie refused to abandon the mission and was a fearless example to his men.

After the ceremony, his great-grandson Robin Scott-Elliot, 47 – who has written a book about the Anderson brothers’ sacrifice – told the Advertiser: “Bertie left his wife and children in Cardross to go to war and, like his three brothers, never came home.

“He was 36 when he was killed, which was comparatively old for a First World War casualty. Teddie, his youngest brother, was 21 when he died.

“But it’s is still only half a life, half a life given up in the service of his country, and that’s one reason I feel we must keep his memory alive.

“One day it will fall to those great-great grandchildren to keep telling the story of Bertie and his brothers. This stone will help them do that.

“It was a privilege to be there exactly 100 years to the day of Bertie’s death. It was also humbling and poignant.

“I think today it’s important to look back, especially as both world wars slip beyond living memory, and appreciate the immense courage of men like Bertie, and never forget the suffering endured by these young men of Glasgow and beyond.”

Bertie is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, and he is commemorated on a dozen war memorials.His Victoria Cross medal is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London.