JOINING the army cadets is more than just a past-time for Leyland lad Graham Kelsall.

For him it's about carrying on a family tradition and following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather -- Private William Young, Victoria Cross medal holder and hero of World War I.

Graham, 14, attends the Queen's Lancashire Regiment's Leyland catchment, based in Bent Lane, every week.

He said: "Being in the army runs in my family, and I am very proud to be related to William Young.

"I want to join the army myself and I would like to follow in his footsteps. I'd like to think I would do what he did if I found myself in the same circumstances."

Pte Young was awarded the Victoria Cross for an heroic deed, carried out on December 22 1915. After spotting one of his company sergeants lying wounded in front of wire, Pte Young leapt from his trench, exposing himself to enemy fire and dashed into no man's land to assist his superior.

He was hit by two German bullets in the process, one entering his chest and the other shattering his jaw. Unhindered by his injuries, he pushed on until he had reached Sergeant Allan. Helped by another private, he brought the wounded sergeant back to safety.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross on Thursday, March 30, 1916, and he returned home to a hero's welcome the following April.

And as the East Lancashire Regiment, of which Pte Young was a member, has since merged with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, young Graham is now able to boast of being in the same unit as his famous ancestor.

Leyland catchment's commanding officer Kathleen Napier said: "One of the important parts of the training in the cadets is teaching them about this regiment's history, and we were surprised when Graham joined us and told us who his relative was.

"We sometimes get youngsters who say their relatives did this and that, but Pte Young's history is very well documented. Graham must be very proud.

"Judging from what we have seen, he could make a very good soldier."