THE tragic story of a Burnley war hero who died in poverty at the age of 36 is being re-told to ensure he is never forgotten.

Thomas Whitham is to feature in the final programme of Channel 4's Not Forgotten series which will focus on the fate of soldiers who returned from the First World War battlefields.

To coincide with the show, Towneley Hall is also exhibiting Mr Whitham's Victoria Cross medal and a gold watch which was presented to him by the people of Worsthorne, his home village.

Mr Whitham, a soldier in the Coldstream Guards, was awarded the VC for gallantry after disabling a German machine gun on the first day of the third Battle of Ypres in July, 1917.

But, despite being presented with a clock from the borough and the gold watch, he was soon left feeling humiliated by his home town.

Just a year after being feted as a hero, Mr Whitham was refused work by Burnley corporation, now the council.

He was believed to have been treated in an off-hand and disrespectful manner after asking for a job.

The young soldier, who was born in Worsthorne in 1888, was forced to leave his young family and travel outside the area to look for work.

He also had to pawn the watch and VC medal but died in poverty six years after returning from France, aged just 36. Thomas died in Oldham Infirmary in 1924 and was buried with full military honours in the Inghamite Burial Ground, Wheatley Lane, Fence.

After his death the watch and VC medal remained with the pawnbroker until Burnley corporation bought them to display at Towneley Hall.

Worsthorne Parish Council donated the clock to the hall to complete the display.

Towneley Hall, which is owned and managed by Burnley council, has continued to display the pieces of history and will also appear in the programme.

Coun Colette Bailey, Burnley Council's executive member for leisure, said: "The medal, watch and clock provide an insight into a very troubled time in history, but I am proud that Towneley Hall has preserved these items for future generations to appreciate the sacrifice a whole generation made for their safety and society they live in today.

"Thomas's story shows that this sacrifice wasn't limited to the battlefields but went on to affect the men who fought following the end of the war."

Not Forgotten is on at 8pm on Sunday.