TWO small monuments in Runcorn and Widnes will be dedicated to the memory of the three holders of the Victoria Cross who came from Halton.
The British Legions of Halton, Hale and Widnes have organised the event, on Sunday, August 13, through their newly formed 3 VCs Committee.
Private Thomas Alfred (Todger) Jones VC, who was born and bred in Runcorn, won his VC in the 1914-18 war. He captured 102 prisoners singlehandedly at Morval, in September, 1916, and won the VC. He still has relatives in the town.
Sgt Thomas Mottershead VC originally enlisted as an air mechanic in August, 1914. He began flying training in May, 1916, gaining his Second Class Certificate a month later and his First Class Certificate on June 9.
In July, he was sent to France and was shot down and killed on January 7, 1917, in an action that earned him a posthumous VC, the only one gained by a non-commissioned aviator in World War One. Sgt Mottershead served with the Royal Flying Corps and was born in Widnes where relatives still live
Acting lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson was the Master of the Li-Wo, a small river gunboat used for survey work. When the ship was seconded to the Royal Navy at Singapore, Wilkinson was made a temporary lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in World War Two.
He won a posthumous VC when his ship attacked and sank a Japanese troop transport. During this action his ship was sunk. Lieutenant Wilkinson was born in Widnes, where relatives still live.
A show night will be held at Halton Royal British Legion, on June 23, in honour of the three VCs and to raise funds for the monuments.
