'Woodbine Willie' celebrated for heroic role in the First World War

The exhibition, at Leeds Parish Church, and created by Canon Paul Tongue, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mr Kennedy's ordination as priest in May 1910.

It highlights his early life in Leeds in the vicarage, of St Mary's Church, Quarry Hill and as a pupil at Leeds Grammar School.

Canon Tony Bundock said: " We are very proud of him as a church and as a city for all the things he did for people in the First World War.

"It was a terrible experience – he brought humanity and pastoral care in the most difficult and unpleasant circumstances. When he died some of the troops threw Woodbines as the cortege went past."

Mr Kennedy volunteered as a chaplain to the armed forces on the Western Front. In 1917, he won the Military Cross at Messines Ridge after running into no man's land to help the wounded during an attack.

The exhibition runs until June 13 and will be open from 9am-3pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday during services, admission is free.