Graves of Victoria Cross recipients renovated

Sergeant James Clarke VC

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

The graves of three Victoria Cross recipients who were laid to rest in the borough’s cemeteries have been renovated.

Re-turfing work has been completed on the graves of Sergeant James Clarke (Rochdale Cemetery), Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell (Boarshaw Cemetery) and Private Anthony Palmer (Heywood Cemetery). Additional restoration work has also taken place on the gravestone of Crimean War hero Private Palmer, which had been in an advanced state of disrepair.

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour ‘in the face of the enemy’. It was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria, in order to recognise and honour acts of heroism during the Crimean War.

Private Palmer received his gallantry medal for fiercely protecting his Battalion’s colours from capture and by directly saving the life of his Commanding Officer during the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, 1854.

Sgt Clarke (15th Battalion) and L’Cpl Halliwell (11th Battalion) both served with the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Great War and received their VC’s for ‘most conspicuous bravery’ on the battlefield.