A BLUE PLAQUE has been unveiled on the gates of a high school to commemorate Lancashire man who was the highest-ranking survivor of the Titanic disaster.

Charles Lightoller, the son of mill owners, grew up at Yarrow House, Chorley on the site later occupied Albany Science College .

He was 38 at the time of the ship’s maiden voyage and was Second Officer.

On the night of April 14, 1912, he commanded the last bridge watch before the ship’s collision with an iceberg.

Chorley Civic Society commissioned the plaque, which was unveiled by Lightoller’s granddaughter, Lady Louise Patten, on her first visit to the town.

She said: “It’s a great privilege to be invited to honour my grandfather in this way.

“He was an brave, kind and inspiring character and I think the plaque looks superb.

“I have been struck by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the civic society members and the warmth of welcome by all at Albany school.”

As the ship sank and the remaining lifeboats washed away, Lightoller entered the water, gaining refuge with others on an upturned lifeboat.

He lived until 1952, continuing to work at sea and was aboard a vessel which rescued soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940 Charles Lightoller’s legacy also lives on in other ways, with the school earlier this year naming their newly-rebuilt canteen in his honour.

Barry Walkden, from Chorley Civic Society, said: “We believed such an important man in history deserved to be honoured in this way.

“The location of the plaque, on the school’s front gates, means its prominent and will form part of the fabric of the school for generations of children.”