Michael Heaviside

Born in Durham City on 28 October 1880, he was educated at Kimblesworth Colliery. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Boer War as a Private and later joined 4 DLI as a Reservist, whilst working as a miner at Craghead.

When the Great War began, he transferred to the 15th Battalion DLI and served with this Service Battalion throughout the war. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Fontaine les Croisilles, France, on 6 May 1917. He was decorated with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 21 July 1917.

Michael Heaviside died on 26 April 1939, aged 58 years. His family presented his medals to the Regiment in July 1957.

See "Beyond Praise. The Durham Light Infantrymen who were awarded the Victoria Cross" by Stephen D Shannon, 1998, ISBN 1 897585 44 6. This has a foreword by Richard Annand VC.