A WEST Devon family were guests of honour at the recent launch of an exhibition in celebration of courage, being held at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.

Steve and Claire Balm and their children Peter and Anna were present at the official opening of the museum?s new multi-media medal display ? featuring the Victoria Cross which was awarded posthumously to the family?s great uncle, Cecil Sewell, in 1918.

Steve Balm said: ?Cecil?s medals, and the tank he fought from, have been on display at the museum for some years, but it makes you very proud when people we hardly know are as keen as we are to keep the memory of Cecil alive.?

Cecil Sewell, a member of the tank regiment in World War I, was only 23 when he was killed. Whilst under heavy fire, he rescued the crew of another tank which had burst into flames after being repeatedly hit while wedged in a shell hole.

He was shot by a hail of bullets while returning to his own tank to help his wounded driver ? as he attempted to dress his comrade?s wounds, he was hit again ? this time fatally.

Steve said: ?The children are a bit older now, so we brought them along because we feel it is important they understand what people like Cecil have done.?

The new exhibition uses modern technology to enable visitors to the medal collection to ?meet? the recipients, using the original citation, photographs and personal details.

Steve said: ?To the credit of the museum, they have gone to great lengths to make these medals and the stories behind them easily accessible and fascinating for the ordinary visitor.?

John Woodward, director of the Tank Museum, said: ?We were delighted the Balms could be here because Cecil?s story is a big part of our new exhibition. We want people to come away with a wider appreciation of the heroism, courage and sacrifice on the part of men and women like Cecil ? whom we often take for granted.?

The exhibition was officially opened by a modern day Iraq war hero ? Lance Corporal of Horse Michael Flynn, who was recently awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

For information about the museum and the new exhibition, call 01929 405096 or visit http://www.tankmuseum.co.uk">www.tankmuseum.co.uk