Joel Halliwell

Riding back under fire, he brought ten wounded men to safety

Joel Halliwell was born at Parkfield, Middleton, Lancashire, on 22 September 1881. He worked in the textile industry before volunteering for the Lancashire Fusiliers during the First World War. He served with the 11th Battalion and became a lance corporal.

On 27 May 1918, during the opening German assault of the Third Battle of the Aisne, his battalion was forced to withdraw near Muscourt. Wounded men were left on ground threatened by the advancing enemy. Halliwell obtained a riderless German horse and rode back towards them.

Working alone under rifle and machine-gun fire, he lifted casualties onto the horse and carried them to safety. He repeated the journey until he had recovered an officer and nine other soldiers. He tried to reach another wounded man, but the enemy had advanced too close for him to continue.

His Victoria Cross recognised the persistence with which he returned to the exposed ground. King George V presented the decoration at Buckingham Palace on 11 September 1918. The people of Middleton also honoured him at a civic reception.

After the war he returned to civilian work. He married Sarah Greaves in 1920, and they raised three daughters. During the 1930s he ran the New Inn on Long Street before moving to work with the local highways department and later a dyeing firm.

He tried to enlist again during the Second World War, but poor eyesight and the effects of his earlier wounds prevented further service. He retired in 1957 after developing thrombosis. He died at Oldham General Hospital on 14 June 1958 and was buried with military honours in Boarshaw Cemetery, Middleton.

Official Victoria Cross citation For most conspicuous bravery and determination displayed during the withdrawal of the remnants of the Battalion when closely engaged with the enemy. L./Cpl. Halliwell, having captured a stray enemy horse, rode out under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire and rescued a wounded man from No Man's Land. He repeated this performance several times, and succeeded in rescuing one officer and nine other ranks. He made another effort to reach a wounded man, but was driven back by the very close advance of the enemy. His conduct was magnificent throughout, and was a splendid and inspiring example to all who saw him.