A BARNT Green man will follow his grandfather‘s footsteps to Belgium to mark the 100th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

Mat Porton will join more than 4000 descendants of First World War soldiers from across the UK who have been invited to special ceremonies marking 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele.

He will travel with his father Donald to remember Thomas Porton, of the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, who won the Military Medal for bravery in the battle.

Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the battle claimed an estimated 250,000 British and Commonwealth casualties.

Thomas served on the Western Front for most of the conflict from August 1914 to July 1918 and was injured twice during the war, including being shot in the arm at the First Battle of Ypres in November 1914.

He was also awarded the Military Medal for “gallantry and good work” at the Battle of Poelcappelle, one of the many offensives during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Mat and Donald will honour Thomas and his comrades at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Tyne Cot (CWGC) cemetery in Belgium on July 31.

Mat said: “In common with so many others, Thomas never spoke of his time in the war, what he had to endure and how he managed to cope with it all.

“My own father had no more knowledge of what his dad had been through than I did.

“The pursuit of my grandfather’s story and getting to know about his life and war experience has been immensely satisfying and profoundly emotional at times.

“We were so lucky to get tickets to Passchendaele100 and this has allowed me to plan a visit for myself and my father to the battlefields on which Thomas fought.

“It will also allow us to be a part of the larger commemoration of those who fought alongside Thomas and to share this experience with the other families I’m sure will be an amazing experience.”

Mat still has several artefacts from Thomas’ service including his spoon and his Princess Mary Christmas gift box - a brass tobacco tin given to serving soldiers at Christmas 1914.

He also has a postcard sent by Thomas to his family, showing him and four of his comrades, on the back of which is written the words ‘Five Mons Angels - Love to all, somewhere in France’.

Mat believes this was the nickname they gave themselves for having survived since the first British battle of the war at Mons in August 1914.

The Passchendaele offensive was brought to a halt by November 10, 1917, with the British claiming a victory despite suffering huge losses.

With no living veterans of the First World War, it is hoped the memories of their decedents will help tell the story of their sacrifice and service.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “As we continue to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, it is important that we remember the horrors of the battlefields of Ypres and honour the many who lost their lives.

“It is the descendants of those who experienced Passchendaele who can help tell its story and it is hugely symbolic for them to be able stand on Belgian soil to remember their relatives’ service and sacrifice.”