A FIRST World War soldier will be remembered in Flanders at a ceremony 100 years to the day of his death.

Private John Aaron, from Haydock, enlisted in Earlestown on December 11, 1915 aged 37.

He was married to Mary and had five children.

John, a coal hewer, was sent to France with the 2nd Btn of the South Lancs Regiment and in December 1916 was posted to the 175 Tunnelling Co. of the Royal Engineers.

After being wounded at least four times, he died on April 13, 1918, at Neuve Eglise in the Battle of Lys.

He is buried at Lijssenthoek Millitary Cemetary in Popperinge.

On Friday, April 13 he will be remembered by great-granddaughter Carol Aaron who will visit his grave.

Carol, 55, will take part in a military ceremony at the Menin Gate, Ypres, to place a wreath in his memory and on behalf of the South Lancs Regiment.

His family’s interest in his achievements was reignited with the discovery of his memorial plaque, on a playing field at Byrchall High School, Ashton, where Shirley, wife of John’s grandson Joe worked. The memorial is now in the safekeeping of John’s great-grandsons.

The plaques, known as the ‘Dead man’s Penny’ were issued after the Great War to the families of British and Empire soldiers who fell.

Carol and dad John discovered where he was buried after undertaking research.

A visit to Fulwood Barracks led to a visit to St Elphin’s Church, Warrington where in a chapel dedicated to the Lancashire Regiment, John Aaron’s name appears in a remembrance book. He is also remembered on the war memorial in front of St Helens Town Hall.

“It is important to me because my dad and his siblings wanted to know what had happened to their granddad and where he was commemorated,” said Carol.

“My dad passed away in December 2016 and we discussed visiting the grave again on the 100th anniversary. He would be delighted that it is going to happen.”