Joel Halliwell VC
Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell of Parkfield, Middleton served in the Lancashire Fusiliers in World War 1. In 1918 he was captured by the Germans and was a prisoner before escaping back to the British territory. He was met with carnage along the way seeing many of his comrades lying wounded in the chaotic 'no mans land.' Finding a stray horse, he rode back through the heavy shell and gunfire to pick up the wounded from the battlefield and take them back to safety. Braving these terrifying conditions he was able to return and one by one, picked up 10 of his comrades until unfortunately the horse was fatally wounded. He then trekked well over a mile or so and back to bring water for the wounded. He modestly maintained that he had simply done what any comrade would have done having had the chance as it was only their duty. How he wasn't hit himself is nothing short of a miracle but saving his comrades was foremost on his mind rather than that of his own safety.
He returned to Middleton where he was celebrated a hero. Thousands rallied to witness the civic parade laid on to welcome Joel and to see this brave man of our town for themselves. He recieved the Victoria Cross for valour, the highest award possible and remains the only Middleton man to date to have recieved this honour. In all, 1,356 VC's have been awarded. Lance Corporal Halliwell was one of 19 Lancashire Fusiliers to recieve one.
He went on to get married, have 3 children and run The New Inn on Long St. He even tried to enlist to fight in WW2 but by this time, his age went against him and he was refused. He died in 1958 his funeral having full military honours and is buried in Boarshaw Cemetary.
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