Glasgow's ultimate war hero

It was that no-nonsense fighting quality that turned Jimmy Stokes into a national war hero. An incredible act of selfless bravery on the battlefield only months before the end of the Second World War cost Stokes his life but saved many men in his platoon. It also won him the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest wartime bravery honour.

His exploits were the stuff of Boys' Own stories - and 20 years later they became exactly that when he featured on the front cover of the ultimate magazine of the time, the Victor comic. The publication dubbed him "Stokes VC, The Soldier Who Would Not Give Up" and recounted how he had single-handedly captured 17 German soldiers before dying of bullet wounds.

"We have always been so proud of him," said his niece Maureen Doherty. "He was featured in the Victor three times, in 1965, 1975 and 1986. We really feel he is someone who should be remembered and respected for what he did."

Jimmy Stokes, a private with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, won his VC for his outstanding bravery during an Allied attack on the village of Kervenheim, on the Dutch-German border on 1 March 1945. His platoon were pinned down, under intense rifle and machine gun fire from a nearby farm building.

Without receiving any orders he dashed towards the heavily fortified farmhouse, firing from the hip, and disappeared inside. When he re-appeared he had a serious wound to his neck but had succeeded in capturing 12 enemy soldiers. Stokes was then ordered to seek treatment for his wound at a regimental aid post but refused. His heroics were not finished.

A short distance further, the platoon encountered gunfire from another farmhouse. Again Stokes seized the initiative and stormed the building single-handed. This time he captured five German soldiers but sustained more serious wounds to his upper body. He insisted on taking part in the advance on the final objective but his wounds were so bad he fell only 20 yards from the enemy lines.

His Victoria Cross citation published in the London Gazette states: "His gallantry enabled his platoon … to continue the advance. In the final assault Private Stokes, now severely wounded, once more dashed to the objective through intense fire. He finally fell, firing his rifle to the last. It was found that he had been wounded eight times in the upper part of the body. Private Stokes' one object throughout this action was to kill the enemy, at whatever personal risk. His magnificent courage, devotion to duty, and splendid example inspired all around him, and ensured the success of the attack at a critical moment; moreover, his self-sacrifice saved his Platoon and Company heavy casualties."

Stokes was only 5 feet, 2 inches but his incredible courage more than made up for his lack of height. He was the first Glaswegian to win the Victoria Cross and although he was buried in a military cemetery in Reichwald, Germany, his memory lives on in the city. A specially designed memorial, depicting a dying rose with the head bowed as a mark of respect, was recently unveiled - 60 years after his death - in a garden where he played as a boy.

Doherty recalls being told by her mother - Jimmy’s sister - of a quiet family man who died just after his 30th birthday and left behind a wife and son. He had worked for a spell as a waiter in London and as a labourer in Glasgow before joining the Royal Artillery at the start of the war. When more infantrymen were required to fight, he signed up with the King's Infantry.

"To capture 17 prisoners was really amazing and he knew he was going to die," Doherty says. "He even said 'goodbye boys' to his mates. He has always been treated as a hero but was forgotten for a while. The 60th anniversary coming along has brought his name to the fore again and we are very happy with the memorial."

She adds: "It is a little bit different and we feel it represents all the fighting men from that district. It is nice that it is just not for James. It is for them all."