Stockport_Independent_Issue_116

OFFERTON • THE HEATONS • EDGELEY • DENTON BREDBURY • CHEADLE HEATH • HAZEL GROVE • CHEADLE HULME • HEAVILEY • MARPLE • REDDISH • ROMILEY • WOODLEY • HIGH LANE FREE STOCKPORT www.independentnewspapers.co.uk FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER ISSUE 116 Independent WIN DINNER FOR TWO AND A BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE AT THE TIFFIN KITCHEN AS part of the nation’s First World War cente- nary commemorations two engraved paving stones have been laid in Stockport to honour its Victoria Cross heroes. The two stones were unveiled exactly 100 years to the day since Wilfred Wood and James Kirk were awarded the country’s high- est honour for bravery. Wilfred Wood was born in Hazel Grove on February 2, 1897, and was a private from the 10th Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was awarded the Vic- toria Cross on October 28, 1918, for his bravery and initiative at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy. His selfless actions whilst under fire caused more than 300 enemy soldiers to surrender. Wilfred returned home to Hazel Grove working for London and North West- ern Railway (LNWR) for 46 years, and was married to Bessie for 57 years. He died in Stockport in Janu- ary 1982. Members of his family attended the unveiling of the paving stone at Hazel Grove War Memorial. James Kirk was born on January 27, 1897, and was a second lieutenant from the 10th Battalion, the Man- chester Regiment. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and devotion to duty near Ors in north- ern France. His actions prevented many casualties and enabled men from his battalion to cross a bridge before it was eventually destroyed. He was killed in action on November 4 1918. James is buried alongside the poet Wilfred Owen who served with him in the 2nd Bat- talion and was also killed during the crossing. They are buried in the Ors Com- munal Cemetery in France. The parents of James Kirk were presented with their son’s posthumous Vic- toria Cross by King George V in the ballroom of Buck- ingham Palace on March 1, 1919. James Kirk’s commem- orative service took place Town’s VCs are remembered HONOURING OUR HEROES SEE PAGE 13 THE new multi-mil- lion pound Stockport Interchange has drawn a step closer after trans- port bosses submit a planning application for the new development. If approved, the pro- ject will continue the major £1billion transfor- mation under way in the town centre. The aim is to deliver a state-of-the-art transport interchange in the heart of the town – also fea- turing a two-acre public park, which will include a bridge to the rail station – and a high-quality resi- dential development. The application follows a public consultation exercise. Alex Cropper, TfGM’s head of pro- jects, said: “The public’s response to the proposals was very positive.” Building momentum: page three Transport hub plan moves forward at the Cheadle Hulme War Memorial, with members of his family also present. Mayor of Stockport Walter Brett attended both ser- vices. He said: “Unveiling a dedicated paving stone in their honour on the cen- tenary of the award of the Victoria Cross, along with their families, is a great privilege. “We owe a great debt to them and the many that have given their lives for our freedom.”