Michael Heaviside VC – day of commemoration


Location: Stanley, Front Street and Craghead, near Bloemfontein School

Type: Admission free, Ceremony, Family friendly

Date: 12 July 2017

The homecoming of a Victoria Cross hero from County Durham is to be re-enacted 100 years after he returned to his home town from the First World War.

Durham Light Infantry Victoria Cross recipient Private Michael Heaviside returned to Stanley from battle on 12 July 1917 and was given a hero’s welcome after crawling across No-Man’s Land under heavy fire to take water and first aid to a wounded soldier lying in a shell hole during the Battle of Arras, later risking his life to bring him back to the trenches.

His homecoming – which was recorded on film – will now be re-enacted on Stanley Front Street on Wednesday, 12 July to mark 100 years since the event.

The parade, which is set to start at 2pm, will involve local schoolchildren dressed in a number of costumes provided by Beamish Museum, Craghead Colliery Band and local miners’ banners.

Earlier in the day, a Michael Heaviside VC Commemorative Stone, which will include his name, rank, regiment and the date of the action for which the VC was awarded, will be unveiled at a site in Craghead adjacent to the former Bloemfontein Terrace and current Greylingstadt Terrace where he lived and died.

A Stanley Town Council Commemorative Plaque for Pte Heaviside will also be unveiled on Bloemfontein School, following which invited guests and Heaviside family members and relatives will be invited into Craghead Village Hall to look at specific DLI collection pieces and VC Commemorative banners.

Victoria Cross hero to be remembered with day of commemoration