Personal info
- Name: Albert HALTON
- D.O.B: 1st May, 1893
- D.O.A: 12th Oct, 1917
- D.O.D: 24th Jul, 1971
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 1st Battalion The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 12th Brigade, 4th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Passchendaele, Belgium 12 October 1917
12 October 1917
The First World War 1917
After the unsuccessful attack at Poelcapelle on 9 October 1917, on 12 October Sir Douglas Haig launched the first Battle of Passchendaele along a line running from the Houthulst Forest in the north to just north of Broodseinde in the south. 1st Battalion The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) formed part of the force attacking the Germans north of Poelcapelle, where Private A Halton captured an enemy machine-gun. 34th Battalion, 3rd Australian Division, was amongst those seeking to advance towards Passchendaele from the south-west, but encountered heavy resistance at Hillside Farm east of Augustus Wood. It was here that Captain C S Jeffries distinguished himself. However, the Allied forces were eventually beaten back by the Germans and it was not until 6 November that Canadian troops finally captured Passchendaele.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery in attack. After the objective had been reached Pte. Halton rushed forward about three hundred yards under very heavy rifle and shell fire, and captured a machine gun and its crew, which was causing many losses to our men. He then went out again and brought in about twelve prisoners, showing the greatest disregard of his own safety and setting a very fine example to those around him.