Memorial Details
Memorial
Wood Heaviside V.C. 1914-18
Reference
C120.10
Place
CRAGHEAD
Map ref
NZ
Original Location
Top of Shafto Terrace, Craghead, DH9 6DZ
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Plaque unveiled August 10th 2001 by Len James.
Memorial Description
Heaviside Wood. There is a plaque of metal mounted on a rough stone plinth. It has a single line border. Lettering is in lower case Roman apart from the word “Honouring” which is in upper case.
Materials used
Metal plaque.
Inscription
Names
See above
Who commissioned
Craghead Area Partnership with help from Derwentside District Council.
Notes
1. Len James, who unveiled the plaque, had just retired as County Councillor after 25 years’ service.
2. This is part of the Great North Forest. Two new woods were planted in the early 1990s. They were named Heaviside Wood and Windmill Wood.
3. Michael Heaviside was a professional soldier who fought in the South African War. He earned his VC in 1917 when a private in the 15th D.L.I. when as a stretcher bearer, he carried water to a wounded soldier under heavy fire in No Man’s Land. He later went back with two other stretcher bearers and retrieved the man, thus saving his life. He returned to life as a miner and died 26th April 1939 aged 58 years. He was buried in St.Thomas’ Churchyard in an unmarked grave until a CWGC headstone was finally erected in 1999 which reads:
Michael Heaviside, V.C.
Most conspicuous bravery
and devotion to duty
Died 26th April 1939
aged 58 years
4. The Durham Bugle September 2000 reads:-
In November (1999) a Memorial Service was held to commemorate the installation of a new headstone over the grave of Michael Heaviside V.C., the original wooden surround having long since disintegrated. With the support of the Band and Bugles of the Light Division who were in Durham for a KAPE tour the service was held in St. Stephen's Church Stanley. The Reverend Eddie Glover conducted the service and the Reverend Tom Place, Padre of 1L1 gave a stimulating address. With the Lord Lieutenant in attendance and with other local dignatories and local people, some thirty members of the Heaviside family and a good turn out of Association members it was a truly memorable occasion.
At the end of the church service, the congregation moved to Craghead Cemetery where The Reverend Eddie Glover dedicated the headstone, with Buglers sounding the Last Post and Reveille and Branch Standard Bearers dipping their standards in salute. A reception was held afterwards in a nearby Social Club which gave everyone the opportunity of meeting Michael Heaviside's family.
5. Michael Heaviside's medals are now in Durham Light Infantry Medal Collection at Palace Green.
6. He is remembered in Sacriston on S113.06 and in Durham D47.071
7. See his Every Name A Story entry for further details.
2. This is part of the Great North Forest. Two new woods were planted in the early 1990s. They were named Heaviside Wood and Windmill Wood.
3. Michael Heaviside was a professional soldier who fought in the South African War. He earned his VC in 1917 when a private in the 15th D.L.I. when as a stretcher bearer, he carried water to a wounded soldier under heavy fire in No Man’s Land. He later went back with two other stretcher bearers and retrieved the man, thus saving his life. He returned to life as a miner and died 26th April 1939 aged 58 years. He was buried in St.Thomas’ Churchyard in an unmarked grave until a CWGC headstone was finally erected in 1999 which reads:
Most conspicuous bravery
and devotion to duty
Died 26th April 1939
aged 58 years
4. The Durham Bugle September 2000 reads:-
In November (1999) a Memorial Service was held to commemorate the installation of a new headstone over the grave of Michael Heaviside V.C., the original wooden surround having long since disintegrated. With the support of the Band and Bugles of the Light Division who were in Durham for a KAPE tour the service was held in St. Stephen's Church Stanley. The Reverend Eddie Glover conducted the service and the Reverend Tom Place, Padre of 1L1 gave a stimulating address. With the Lord Lieutenant in attendance and with other local dignatories and local people, some thirty members of the Heaviside family and a good turn out of Association members it was a truly memorable occasion.
At the end of the church service, the congregation moved to Craghead Cemetery where The Reverend Eddie Glover dedicated the headstone, with Buglers sounding the Last Post and Reveille and Branch Standard Bearers dipping their standards in salute. A reception was held afterwards in a nearby Social Club which gave everyone the opportunity of meeting Michael Heaviside's family.
5. Michael Heaviside's medals are now in Durham Light Infantry Medal Collection at Palace Green.
6. He is remembered in Sacriston on S113.06 and in Durham D47.071
7. See his Every Name A Story entry for further details.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Montage of unveiling ceremony; photo of CWGC headstone: C. Sanders
Evening Chronicle 01/11/1999 tells the Heaviside story and reports erection of headstone.
The Durham Bugle Issue No. 1 September 2000 reports new headstone for Michael Heaviside V.C.
Beyond Praise: The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross; Stephen D. Shannon; County Durham Books, 1998; ISBN 1 897585 44 6
Evening Chronicle 01/11/1999 tells the Heaviside story and reports erection of headstone.
The Durham Bugle Issue No. 1 September 2000 reports new headstone for Michael Heaviside V.C.
Beyond Praise: The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross; Stephen D. Shannon; County Durham Books, 1998; ISBN 1 897585 44 6
External web link
Research acknowledgements
Mark Davinson; C. Sanders; Dorothy Hall; James Pasby
Research In Progress
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Wood Heaviside V.C. 1914-18 (C120.10)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story
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