Soldiers of the Regiment
Private Albert Halton VC
From the Westmorland Gazette January 1918
From Farm Work to VC: A Hearty Reception
Carnforth people gave a royal reception on Saturday to Private Halton
VC, on his coming home on leave. He was engaged in farm work at Whinfell,
among other places, before he enlisted. At the operation of Poelcapelle
he displayed “conspicuous bravery” for, after the objective had been
gained, he went out alone “as he puts it, “sneaked out”), and captured a
machine gun and crew, because his companions were under its murderous
fire. That feat accomplished, and the prisoners “sent down the line,”
Private Halton went out again and “rushed” two parties of snipers (six
each), in shell holes who were picking off men engaged in consolidating
the positions won. He was under fire on both occasions, and in the mist
and half light he was in danger of being hit by his own comrades, who
were replying to the fire of the snipers. He brought in twelve
prisoners, and escaped without a scratch. On Saturday he was received at
Carnforth Station by Mr A Hoyle, chairman of the District Council, and
the Reception Committee, members of the Council and Committee, members
of the Council and Committee, the vicar of Carnforth (The Rev J H
Mercer), the Rev G H B Judge, and other prominent townsmen, and after he
had been welcomed by his father and mother, the modest hero was
“officially” received. Amid much cheering he was escorted to the
entrance of the station, and he, his father and mother, and Mr Hoyle
took seats in a landau adorned with flags. The cheering from school
children, Volunteers (under Captain Briggs), Boy Scouts, firemen, and
inhabitants was tumultuous. A procession was formed, and through
decorated streets and effusive and admiring crowds, Private Halton and
the Reverend H J Mercer made short congratulatory speeches. There were
calls for “a speech” and Private Halton expressed his thanks for the
welcome. He said nothing about himself or his deeds, but much about his
comrades – three of whom (including Driver Stretch, just awarded the
Military Medal), and military police, formed a guard of honour – and
finished up by calling for cheers for My Hoyle and his colleagues, and
for the men at the front. These were heartily given, and after more
singing by school children, playing by the band, and general cheering,
Private Halton later kicked off at a football match. A fund is being
raised to make him a suitable present. Interviewed by a journalist,
Private Halton required much persuasion to talk of his deeds. At length
he said his section reached their objective in the Poelcapelle
operations, and were “digging in”. The officer and most of the NCOs had
become casualties, and a machine gun was doing damage to the section. “I
sneaked out” he said “made my way to where the firing was coming from,
and then “rushed” the hole where the machine gun and its crew were. I
surprised them, for I think they believed I was supported. At any rate,
up went their hands, and they were prisoners. I got the machine gun all
right, and marched the men into out lines. After that I found we were
being sniped from two shell holes 300 yards away, so I set off on my own
again. I adopted the same tactics – the light was still poor – and
“rushed” each hole. Each group of six men surrendered and I brought them
in as well. That’s all.” “But you were under fire?” “Yes,” was the
reply, “from our men as well as the enemy. Our men were replying to the
rifle fire, and I was too far away for them to distinguish me, and no
one knew I had left the section. I might have been hit by a bullet from
one of our own men, but I did not receive a scratch.” “And the wounded
stripe on your arm?” “Oh, that was at the Somme; it was only slight.”
Private Albert Halton VC
Accession Number:
KO2590/377
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