Norman Harvey

He rushed the guns alone and enabled the line to move ahead.

Norman Harvey was born at Newton-le-Willows on 6 April 1899. He enlisted under age in the South Lancashire Regiment in 1914 and went to France in 1915. Wounded twice, he later joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Near Ingooigem on 25 October 1918, enemy machine guns stopped his battalion. Harvey attacked alone, overcame the position and captured two guns. He later drove another enemy party away and, after dark, carried out a useful reconnaissance. His initiative enabled the advance and earned the Victoria Cross, presented in May 1919.

After demobilization he married Norah Treadwell and worked on the railways. He joined the Territorial Royal Engineers in 1925 and was mobilized in 1939, serving in France and then Palestine with a railway workshop company. A company quartermaster-sergeant, he died from a gunshot wound near Haifa on 16 February 1942 and was buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Ingoyghen on the 25th October, 1918, when his battalion was held up and suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine guns. On his own initiative he rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of twenty enemy and capturing two guns. Later, when his company was checked by another enemy strong point, he again rushed forward alone and put the enemy to flight. Subsequently, after dark, he voluntarily carried out, single-handed, an important reconnaissance and gained valuable information. Pte. Harvey throughout the day displayed the greatest valour, and his several actions enabled the line to advance, saved many casualties, and inspired all.

(Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 3 January 1919. 6 January 1919, Numb. 31108, p. 308)