Langley Streets and Park Dedicated to Fallen Middleton Soldiers
The Middleton community will unite for a heartfelt dedication ceremony to honor three former local soldiers by naming Langley streets and a park in their memory. The service is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, commencing at 10:50 AM at Willow Park in Langley. It will pay tribute to Fusilier Lee Rigby, Corporal Joel Halliwell, and Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, whose lives were deeply intertwined with the Middleton area.
Honoring the Heroes
The newly designated Rigby Way, Joel Halliwell VC Park, and Hetherington Way stand as lasting memorials to Lee, Joel, and Scott. Relatives of the soldiers, residents, councillors, the Mayor of Rochdale, and members of the armed forces community will gather to pay their respects, reflect on their sacrifices, and ensure their legacies endure.
The dedication service will feature:
- Speeches commemorating the lives of Lee, Joel, and Scott
- A solemn wreath-laying ceremony
- The playing of the Last Post
- Poetry readings and the Kohima Epitaph
- Formal dedications of the named locations
Profiles of the Fallen Soldiers
Fusilier Lee Rigby grew up in Middleton and served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. His life was tragically cut short on May 22, 2013, when he was murdered by terrorists outside a military barracks in south London.
Corporal Joel Halliwell, also a Middleton native, served as a Corporal during World War I. He passed away in 1958 at the age of 76. Joel was awarded the Victoria Cross for Valour, the highest military honor in the country, making him the only person from Middleton to receive this distinction. On May 27, 1918, after being captured by the Germans and escaping, he bravely rescued wounded comrades under heavy shellfire, earning his medal for extraordinary bravery.
Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, another Middleton resident, died serving in Iraq on January 2, 2017, at just 22 years old. He was a member of the Duke of Lancashire Regiment and served as a vehicle commander in the Force Protection Platoon.
Community and Leadership Reflections
West Middleton councillor Phil Burke played a key role in ensuring these local areas were named in honor of the three soldiers. He expressed, "This will be a really important, moving, and emotional day for the Middleton community. I am really proud that local roads and a park have been named in honor of Lee, Joel, and Scott, who have deep and lasting connections across the area. I know how much the day will mean to the relatives and loved ones of the three men. As one of the councillors for the West Middleton ward, I have worked extremely hard to help bring this about, as we come together to reflect, remember, and ensure the names of Lee, Joel, and Scott live on forever."
Councillor Janet Emsley, Mayor of Rochdale and lead member for the armed forces, added, "This will be a really poignant event as the community comes together to honor Lee, Joel, and Scott. The special service will enable us to remember their lives, their service, and also to dedicate local areas named in their honor. I know there will be a huge turnout from across the armed forces family. The families of Lee, Joel, and Scott have been closely involved in the dedication ceremony, and I am proud that I will be able to join them at this very special service. Lest we forget."
The event is open to all members of the public who wish to attend and show their support. Further details can be found on the Rochdale Council website. The dedication takes place in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, marking a significant moment of remembrance and community solidarity.
