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Private Albert Halton VC

From the Westmorland Gazette 1st December 1917

VC for a Carnforth Farm Boy

On Tuesday, in an official list of 20 new recipients of the VC, appeared the name of “No. 241475 Private Albert Halton, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, (Carnforth). For most conspicuous bravery in attack. After the objective had been reached Private Halton rushed forward about three hundred yards under very heavy rifle and shell fire, and captured a machine-gun and its crew, which was causing many losses to our men. He then went out again and brought in about twelve prisoners, showing the greatest disregard of his own safety and setting a very fine example to those around him.” Private Albert Halton VC, is the third son of Mr and Mrs Jonathan Halton, 19, Highfield Terrace, Carnforth. He is a native of Carnforth, and was educated at the National School there. Later he engaged in farm service with Mr. Taylor of Arkholme, and Mr Barnes, Top Thorn, Whinfell and at Lancaster, and enlisted during Lord Derby’s recruiting campaign. He joined a Territorial Battalion of the Royal Lancasters, and in France was wounded in the arm during the Somme fighting of October, 1916. In his letters he did not mention the feat which has won him the VC until a letter of inquiry was sent by his mother. Even then his main concern was to ask who had told the story. The Chairman of the Carnforth Urban Council (Mr A Hoyle) on Tuesday, on behalf of the Council tendered congratulations to the parents of Private Albert Halton. A special Council meeting is being arranged to consider proposals for doing honour to Private Halton. At the Carnforth National School reference was made to the great honour which had come to the school, the town, the district, and the King’s Own Regiment as the result of Private Halton’s bravery and cheers were given. His schoolmaster describes Halton as one who would do a deed of that kind and think nothing more of it. He was very retiring, but full of spirit.
 

Private Albert Halton VC
Accession Number: KO2590/377

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.