Albert Halton

Albert Halton
Born 1 May 1893
Warton, near Carnforth, Lancashire
Died 24 July 1971
Lancaster, Lancashire
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Private
Unit King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
Home Guard
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Victoria Cross

Albert Halton VC (1 May 1893 – 24 July 1971) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Halton was born in Warton near Carnforth, Lancashire.[1] He was 24 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster),[2] British Army during the First Battle of Passchendaele of First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12 October 1917 near Poelcapelle, Belgium, after the objective had been reached, Private Halton rushed forward about 300 yards under very heavy fire and captured a machine-gun and its crew which was causing heavy losses to our men. He then went out again and brought in 12 prisoners, showing the greatest disregard for his own safety and setting a fine example to those round him.[3]

After the war Halton was an ironworker until his retirement in 1961, and during World War II he served in the Home Guard.

A commemorative plaque was installed in Sparrow Park, Warton, unveiled on 12 October 2017 by the Deputy Mayor of Lancaster.[1]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) Museum, in Lancaster, England.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tribute Set In Stone For Local First World War Hero". The Bay. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Regimental History". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  3. ↑ "No. 30400". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 November 1917. p. 12330.
  • "Private Albert Halton VC". Regimental History - Soldiers of the Regiment: Victoria Cross Holders of the King's Own Royal Regiment. King's Own Royal Regiment Museum, Lancaster.
  • Albert Halton at Find a Grave
  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
  • VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
  • Location of grave and VC medal (Lancashire)
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