Victoria Cross hero of Murton honoured 100 years after brave deeds

Sgt William McNally, from Murton, near Seaham, was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his heroic deeds in northern Italy in October 1918. Between 27 and 29 October, the brave young sergeant seized German machine gun posts single handed, rushed enemy positions and exhibited leadership “beyond all praise.”

• The Durham VC hero who was one in a million or more

A century later, a commemorative paving stone was unveiled on Murton village green, with villagers, veterans, servicemen and women, local dignitaries and members of McNally’s family coming together to pay tribute.

Crowds braved the elements for a ceremony at the cenotaph at 11am on Saturday.

Among those attending were his proud daughter Doreen Murley, along with his granddaughter Alison Ashby and great-granddaughter Lauren Ashby.

Sgt William McNally's daughter, Doreen Murley, and great-granddaughter Alison Ashby receive wreath to lay at memorial

Mrs Murley, 92, said: "It is really a proud day for us. We have come up from Portsmouth for this occasion. To be quite honest I really didn't think I could make it, but my daughter said 'mum you're going to be there'.

"And I am really glad I came because there's a really nice turnout. It has been a wonderful day and I would like to thank everyone for attending."

Mrs Murley, who grew up in Murton, joined the Woman's Royal Naval Service and saw the troops off on D-Day off, at Plymouth, said: "My father would never talk about it. We used to ask about it but he would never talk about it.

"He was quite strict, a very good father and always looked after us - not a very affectionate father, but I must say he really looked after us. I am very proud of him indeed."

Her daughter, Mrs Ashby, added: "We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response today.

"We always knew they were proud of him in Murton, but today has blown us away.

"The amount they have put into this, particularly our cousin Ian McNally, who has worked with all the organisations pulling together. It has been fantastic."

Describing her grandfather, she added: "He was a hardy northern guy. he never, ever, ever spoke about his experiences – not once."

The commemorative stone is one of seven presented to Durham County Council to honour the county’s VC heroes.

Murton Parish Council led and funded the project, with support from Murton Heritage Society, Murton Welfare Association and East Durham Area Action Partnership.

Tom Pinkney, chairman of Murton Parish Council, said: “Knowing Murton was the home of someone who won a distinction as high as the Victoria Cross is a source of great pride in our village.

“I would like to say a special thank you to Murton Heritage Society who have worked so hard preparing the exhibition and revealing more details about the life of this extraordinary man.”

Cllr John Lethbridge, Chairman of Durham County Council, said: “It will be an honour to stand alongside the people of Murton and pay tribute to William McNally at a time when the First World War is at the forefront of all of our minds.

“This is the final VC memorial stone to be installed in County Durham, and it has been extremely moving to see communities across the county commemorate their heroes over the last four years.”

Born in Murton in 1894, McNally attended Murton Colliery School until he was 14, when he went to work underground as a pit pony boy.

In September 1914, he was one of thousands of Durham miners to join the Army, enlisting in the Yorkshire Regiment, now known as the Green Howards.

A year later, after intensive training, McNally and fellow members of the 8th battalion travelled to France as part of the 23rd Infantry Division.

At Contalmaison in July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, 13820 Private McNally gained the first of his three gallantry awards – the Military Medal – when he dragged a seriously wounded officer to safety. Then in early November 1917, he was awarded a bar to his Military Medal after he three-times rescued men wounded or buried by enemy shellfire at Passchendaele, near Ypres.

But it was his actions in Italy in October 1918 that earned him the military’s highest accolade.

His VC citation, published in the London Gazette in December 1918, praised his “conspicuous bravery” adding: “Throughout the whole operations his innumerable acts of gallantry set a high example to his men, and his leading was beyond all praise.”

McNally received his VC from King George V in July 1919 and the following year, on Remembrance Day, he was included in the VC Guard of Honour for the interment of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Despite being wounded three times, McNally returned to work at Murton Colliery after the war. He served in the Home Guard during the Second World War and finally retired in 1958 aged 65. He died in Murton in January 1976 and, two years later, a stone memorial was unveiled on the village green, where the new VC stone was be installed.