The final resting place of thirteen of the region’s First World War Victoria Cross winners will be restored to their former glory.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles today announced £100,000 towards the restoration of the UK graves in need of repair. Headstones will be cleaned or replaced so that the graves of those who received the highest military award for valour is a truly fitting tribute to their sacrifice.

The new funding will give a significant boost to funds already being raised by the Victoria Cross Trust – a charitable organisation that works to ensure the graves of every Victoria Cross recipient are maintained.

While some graves only require minor work, others have fallen into disrepair, headstones have become illegible; stones have crumbled away leaving them unstable; and some are in danger of collapse. As a result many people are unaware that a Victoria Cross recipient is buried within their communities.

The thirteen are

1.HENRY KELLY, The Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment from Moston, Southern Cemetery, Manchester

2.Pte JOHN READITT, South Lancashire Regiment, Clayton, Gorton Cemetery.

3 Pte GEORGE STRINGER, The Manchester Regiment, Newton Heath, Philips Park Cemetery.

4. LCpl JOHN THOMAS, The Prince of Wales’s North Staffordshire Regiment
, Openshaw, Stockport Borough Cemetery

5.Pte JACK WHITE, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, Jewish Cemetery, Blackley.

6.Pte ALFRED WILKINSON, The Manchester Regiment, Leigh, Leigh Borough Cemetery

7.Sgt CHARLES COVERDALE’ The Manchester Regiment,Old Trafford, Edgerton Cemetery, Huddersfield

8. LCpl JOEL HALLIWELL,The Lancashire Fusiliers,Middleton, Boarshaw New Cemetery, Middleton

9. A/CSM JAMES CLARKE, The Lancashire Fusiliers, Winsford,Rochdale Cemetery

10.Sgt JOHN HOGAN, The Manchester Regiment, Royton
Chadderton Cemetery, Oldham

11.Sgt JOSEPH LISTER, The Lancashire Fusiliers, Salford
Willow Grove Cemetery, Reddish

12.Sgt THOMAS STEELE, Seaforth Highlanders
Springhead, St Anne’s Churchyard, Lydgate.

13.Pte JAMES HUTCHINSON, The Lancashire Fusiliers, Radcliffe, Torquay Crematorium,Devonshire

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