Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell - Middleton’s VC hero honoured

Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell V.C.

Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell V.C, Middleton’s only Victoria Cross recipient, will be recognised next week with the unveiling of a street sign in his honour in Middleton town centre – Corporation Street will be renamed LCpl Joel Halliwell V.C. Way.

Joel Halliwell V.C was awarded the medal after rescuing 10 injured soldiers from no-man's land during the First World War. Joel, a father of three, was a reluctant hero in his life, saying he had just been doing his duty. He was buried in Boarshaw cemetery in 1958.

In France in the summer of 1918, aged 37, Lance Corporal Halliwell captured a horse then rode into no-man's land under heavy shell fire to rescue an injured soldier. He went on to repeat the incredible feat of bravery nine times.

He was a lance-corporal in the 11th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, The Lancashire Fusiliers.

After the war he was awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest military honour for valour in the face of possible death.

A ceremony unveiling the new street sign will take place on Tuesday 27 May at 11am, exactly 96 years to the day of his act of bravery. Guest speakers will include Shauna Dixon, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Captain Joe Eastwood from the Lancashire Fusiliers Association and Rochdale Borough Council leader Colin Lambert.