Norman harvey VC

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Norman Harvey (6 April 1899 - 16 Feb 1942)

He was the Son of Charles William and Mary Harvey (one of nine children) and spent his childhood at the family home at 4 Golborne Dale Road. He was the husband of Nora Osmond Harvey.

He was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during World War One.

On 25 October 1918 aged 19, at Ingoyghem, Belgium, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads:

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Ingoyghem on the 25th October, 1918, when his battalion (the 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) was held up and suffered heavy casualties from enemy machine guns. On his own initiative he rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of twenty enemy and capturing two guns. Later, when his company was checked by another enemy strong point, he again rushed forward alone and put the enemy to flight. Subsequently, after dark, he voluntarily carried out, single-handed, an important reconnaissance and gained valuable information. Pte. Harvey throughout the day displayed the greatest valour, and his several actions enabled the line to advance, saved many casualties, and inspired all"

Harvey re-enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1939 and joined 199 Railway Workshop Company. He was promoted to Company Quartermaster-Sergeant in April 1941. He was killed in action, near Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel) on 16 Feb 1942.

He is buried at Khayat Beach War Cemetery, 5 kilometres south-west of Haifa in Israel.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

His name is on a plaque in St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, Northern Ireland and at the Ulster Tower, Thiepval, Somme, France.

Here is his headstone:

He has a street named after him

Norman Harvey VC Close 

Norman's VC Cross is displayed in Enniskillen Castle museum Northern Island. In memory of Norman his home town of Newton Le Willows in England will be laying a paving stone I his memory. There's also plans for a statue at Mesnes Park to be built in honour of his name.

   

26th October 2018 

Commemorative day for Norman Harvey VC with a commemorative paving stone laid in Earlstown followed by a church service at At Peters Newton Le Willows and a parade to Mesnes Park with the unveiling of his statue