A Scots war hero who died retrieving his bagpipes from the front line has been commemorated with a memorial stone - 100 years after his death.

Piper James Cleland Richardson received the Victoria Cross - Britain's highest military honour - for his actions on October 8, 1916.

He was originally from Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, before moving to Vancouver on Canada's west coast.

The memorial service, which took place yesterday (Fri) at Bellshill war memorial, was attended by some of his relatives, including great-nephew Dan.

School pupils at nearby Bellshill Academy also attended the service, which was led by Rev Kevin de Beer.

Piper Richardson was a bagpiper in the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, a Scottish and Canadian battalion, and died at Ancre Heights on the Somme.

On October 8, 1916, Richardson's company was held up by strong barbed wire and came under intense fire.

He played the company "over the top" and marched up and down the trench calmly playing his pipes, inspiring the soldiers who eventually managed to capture the German position.

The piper was detailed to take a wounded comrade back along with some prisoners, but after walking some way he insisted on turning back to pick up his bagpipes which he had left behind.

He was sadly never seen again.

Piper Richardson's remains were discovered in 1920 and he is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery in France.

Dan Richardson, the soldier's great-nephew, travelled from Ottawa in Canada to attend the unveiling of the plaque.

He said his family were "immensely proud" of their ancestor, adding: "We are obviously proud of what he did.

"It's an inspiring story. People all over the world respect him and pay tribute to him by showing up here today.

"It's the 100th anniversary of his death. It's an important milestone to remember him and remember what he did in the Battle of the Somme."

Dan, 59, said he learned about his great-uncle from his grandfather, but also through doing his own research.

And he discovered that the bagpipes the piper used - issued by the Canadian army - spent 80 years in Scotland where no one knew their history.

He said: "They were lost for many years."

An army chaplain had been clearing the battlefield when he found his pipes and kept them until after the war.

The chaplain returned to Crieff, Perthshire, where he was a teacher, and had the pipes placed in a display featuring war artefacts.

Dan added: "They stayed there for 80 years. Then a father of a boy at the school started looking at them and couldn't recognise the tartan. He found out it came from Canada."

Further research revealed they were Piper Richardson's bagpipes and in 2006 a delegation from Canada, including Dan, came to repatriate them.

They are now on display in the British Columbia Parliament Buildings in Victoria.

Piper Richardson also had his own set of pipes, which remained in Vancouver while he went to war.

They remained in an attic for around 60 or 70 years until Dan's sister Carol decided to learn how to play them.

He said: "My grandfather said she had to play them well because it was his only set. The bag had rotted away and the reeds were done so she had to repair them.

"She had some medical problems and eventually couldn't play them any more. So now they are on loan to Pipe Corporal Grant Laporte, who plays in Delta Police Pipe Band in Vancouver.

"They are still owned by the family. The pipers know where the pipes came from."

Speaking at yesterday's ceremony was Jim Robertson, provost of North Lanarkshire.

He said: "The sacrifice and bravery of those who fought in the Great War must not be forgotten and it gives me great pride to officially dedicate this memorial to Piper Richardson."

The Canadian Defence Chief of Staff, LCol Simon Rushen also represented Canada at the service.

School pupils read poems and dedications to Piper Richardson, while two young world champion bagpipers played the Reveille.

It is understood a feature film about Piper Richardson's act of heroism is in the works, with crews currently filming at the Somme in northern France.