The remarkable stories of Durham's Victoria Cross heroes who have been honoured with memorial paving stones

DARING rescue attempts, inspirational leadership and acts of “absolute self-sacrifice”, the stories behind the seven County Durham men awarded the military’s highest award are truly humbling.

As time goes by there is a risk of such stories becoming confined to history books, but not in County Durham. The heroic actions of Private Thomas Kenny, Lieutenant Colonel Roland Bradford, Private Michael Heaviside, Lieutenant Commander George Bradford, Captain George McKean, Second Lieutenant John Youll and Sergeant William McNally have been the talk of the communities they hailed from during the last four years.

In 2015, Durham County Council received seven memorial paving stones from the Department for Communities and Local Government to honour First World War Victoria Cross (VC) holders.

The paving stones were installed in each soldier’s hometown or village as near to the centenary of their brave deeds as possible. Many town and parish councils received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to stage the ceremonies, others used their own funds with support from local area action partnerships and county councillors.

There were historical exhibitions, school workshops and community art projects; relatives and military representatives travelled from as far away as Canada to attend; and the soldiers’ stories were retold in the media.

Last month, the final memorial stone, for Sgt McNally, was unveiled in Murton. Cllr John Lethbridge, chairman of the council, was among the many who witnessed the poignant ceremony.

He says: “It has been extremely moving to see communities across the county commemorate their heroes over the last four years. You can sense the pride they feel and the strong desire to ensure these brave men get the recognition they deserve.”

Private Thomas Kenny, of the Durham Light Infantry, who won the Victoria Cross during the First World War and was honoured by his home village of Wheatley Hill 100 years on

Thomas Kenny

Private Thomas Kenny, who was born in South Wingate and lived in Wheatley Hill, was awarded the VC for valour near La Houssoie, France, on November 4, 1915. When an officer was shot, Thomas, 33, crawled through mud while under heavy fire with the officer on his back for an hour until they reached safety. On November 4, 2015, a memorial stone was unveiled at Wheatley Hill Cemetery.

 

Roland Bradford

Lieutenant Colonel Roland Bradford was born in Witton Park and was awarded the VC for valour at Eaucourt L’Abbaye, France, on October 1, 1916. When a fellow officer fell, Roland, 25, took lead of a second battalion and successfully captured and defended their target. He was killed a year later. On October 1, 2016, a ceremony to mark the centenary was held at St Paul’s Church in Witton Park. The memorial stone was unveiled on March 11, 2017 to coincide with the opening of a new memorial garden for the Bradford brothers.

 

Michael Heaviside

Private Michael Heaviside was born in Durham City and lived in Craghead, near Stanley. He was awarded the VC for valour at Arras, France, on May 6, 1917. When Michael, 36, became aware of a desperately injured man who had been lying in a shellhole for four days without food or water in the baking sun, he crawled out to him in broad daylight and under heavy fire to bring him supplies. He returned at night with a stretcher party and saved his life. His memorial stone was unveiled on May 6, 2017, at St Giles Church in Gilesgate. Later that year, on July 12, a day of commemoration was held in Craghead and Stanley, exactly 100 years after he received a hero’s welcome there.

 

George Bradford

Lieutenant Commander George Bradford was born in Witton Park. He was awarded the VC posthumously on April 23, 1918. After volunteering to lead a dangerous mission to pen U-boats inside Zeebrugge harbour in Belgium, George, 31, jumped from his ship onto the harbour wall to secure the anchor. Fatally exposed, he was riddled with bullets and fell into the sea. His memorial paving stone was unveiled during a ceremony at Witton Park Memorial Garden on April 21, 2018.

REMEMBERED: Lieutenant George Burdon McKean

George McKean

Captain George McKean was born in Willington but emigrated to Canada. He was awarded the VC for valour at Gavrelle, France, on April 27 and 28, 1918, when the 29-year-old threw himself into a German blockhouse, landing on an enemy soldier and killing another. Re-armed and “disregarding all danger”, he successfully stormed another enemy position. George’s memorial stone was unveiled during a day of commemoration in Willington on April 28, 2018.

 

John Youll

Second Lieutenant John Youll was born in Thornley and was awarded the VC for valour in Asiago, Italy, on June 15, 1918. When his patrol came under heavy fire, John, 21, sent his men to safety but remained to observe the enemy’s position. He then took charge of another company after their officer was killed, captured an enemy post and held off three counter attacks. He was killed later that year. His memorial stone was unveiled during a ceremony in Thornley on June 15, 2018.

 

William McNally

Sergeant William McNally was born in Murton and was awarded the VC for valour in Piave River, Italy, from October 27 to 29, 1918. When an enemy machine gun post held up his company, William rushed it single-handedly, killing the gunners and capturing the gun. He repeated the same feat at the Monticano River two days later. His memorial stone was unveiled during a ceremony in Murton on October 27, 2018.