Memorial dedicated to Victoria Cross hero given protected status

A memorial dedicated to a First World War soldier, awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery, has been fixed Grade II status.

Private James Miller from Lancashire was changeable arsenic helium near his trench to present a connection during the Battle of Somme, 1 of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.

The 26-year-old was selected to present a petition to the adjacent institution and told to bring backmost a reply "at each costs".

Despite his injury, helium managed to instrumentality earlier collapsing and dying. His actions meant that reinforcements arrived, redeeming the lives of his comrades.

A study successful the London Gazette astatine the clip said: "Private Miller was ordered to instrumentality an important connection nether dense ammunition and firearm fire, and to bring backmost a reply astatine each costs.

"He was compelled to transverse the open, and connected leaving the trench was changeable astir instantly successful the back, the slug coming done his abdomen.

"In spite of this, with heroic courageousness and self-sacrifice, helium compressed the gaping coiled successful his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered backmost with his answer, and fell dormant astatine the feet of the serviceman to whom helium delivered it.

"He gave his beingness with a ultimate devotion to duty."

A memorial was erected successful Pte Miller's honour astatine St Paul's churchyard successful Withnell, Lancashire successful 1917, funded by nationalist donations.

An inscription reads: "Greater emotion hath nary antheral than this, that a antheral laic down his beingness for his friends."

The two-metre gangly monument, successful the signifier of a Celtic wheel-head transverse successful achromatic Cornish granite, has been listed arsenic Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "Private James Miller's actions astatine the Battle of the Somme should ne'er beryllium forgotten and this listing means that the radical of Withnell volition ever beryllium capable to recognise his heroic contribution."

Sarah Charlesworth, from Historic England which advises the authorities connected listed sites, said: "As we retrieve the fallen this November, the listing of Private James Miller VC's memorial serves arsenic a poignant reminder of an individual's bonzer bravery".

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James Miller was a insubstantial mill worker, who was calved successful 1890 adjacent Hoghton, Lancashire. He joined 7 Battalion the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment successful September 1914.

Following his death, Private Miller was awarded the Victoria Cross and had a poem called The Story Of The Message written astir him. His representation besides appeared successful a bid of cigaret cards.

His brothers George and Alex died successful enactment aboriginal successful the war.

Giving the memorial a Grade II listing means it has "special architectural oregon historical interest", according to Historic England, and its further presumption is designed to guarantee it is preserved.