The memory of a Suffolk soldier who died in the First World War has been marked, with a new £827,000 housing development in his home village named after the soldier.

On Thursday, Private William Flack was honoured in Whepstead when Suffolk Housing officially opened its five-home sustainable housing scheme by planting a tree and scattering poppy seeds at the site.

Private Flack, who was born in the village in 1875, is believed to be the first member of the Suffolk Regiment who died in the war.

6,500 members of his regiment lost their lives and he died in battle on August 23 1914, exactly 100 years to the day before the first family moved into their new home at the scheme.

Ian Winslet, Suffolk Housing chief executive, said: “As 2014 marks the centenary of the start of World War One, it seemed the ideal opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery of Private Flack who, like so many others, sadly lost his life in battle.

“By naming this development in his honour, we hope that his memory will live on for another 100 years.

“Providing much-needed affordable housing in our villages is one of our priorities, and we are delighted that all of our tenants have now moved into their new homes.

“Affordable rural housing schemes are incredibly important – as well as helping more families to live in the village of their choice, they also play a key role in ensuring communities remain sustainable and will thrive in the future.”

The new £827,000 development is made up of two three-bedroomed houses, two two-bedroomed bungalows and one four-bedroom bungalow, which has been specially adapted for disabled use.

The majority of funding came from Suffolk Housing, with the Homes and Communities Agency contributing £100,000 and St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council providing £15,000 each towards the cost of the adapted property.

All of the homes have been fitted with air source heat pumps, in order to increase their sustainability, and have been let to people with a close connection with the village.

Suffolk Housing was formed in 1974 and manages more than 2,700 affordable homes in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk for people in housing need. To find out more visit www.suffolkhousing.org.