Plaque honours war veteran 100 years on

MAIN picture: Service of Dedication at St Anne's Church, Lydgate for Sergeant Thomas Steele

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A COMMEMORATIVE stone plaque was unveiled to recognise the outstanding services of a Springhead war veteran 100 years since his heroic actions.

A poignant ceremony at St Anne's Church, Lydgate, yesterday saw Oldham Mayor, Councillor Derek Heffernan, unveil the plaque in honour of Sgt Thomas Steele who received the Victoria Cross for his actions in the First World War.

Relatives of Sgt Steele, the Bishop of Manchester David Walker and the Vice-Lord Lieutenant Edith Conn as well as a host of councillors, military and local residents paid tribute in a church packed with a 250-strong turnout.

At the end of the service, which included hymns "Abide With Me" and "Jerusalem", the congregation were led outside to the plaque by Pipe Major Peter MacGregor.

After the plaque was unveiled, a bugle rang out as a timely reminder of the deeds of those who fought for their country. Sgt Steele was honoured for his role in attempting to lift the Turkish siege at Ku-al-Amara in the Middle East in 1917.

At a critical moment, he used a machine gun to beat off an enemy attack and risked his life to rally a party of Indian soldiers who had lost all their officers.

Councillor Heffernan, speaking at the ceremony, said: "It is an honour to be here today representing the borough on this occasion.

"The military history in the programme has one important point missing. That Thomas Steele was a normal man in the street and real heroes are just that.

"Heroes are the ordinary people, not the commanders who are miles away from the battle.

"He never considered himself a hero but he did outstanding things not once but twice."

Mayor Heffernan added: "Today, on behalf of the people of Oldham, I say thank you Thomas Steele for your dedication and bravery."

Thomas' relatives were left overwhelmed by the turnout of people that came to show their respects.

Christopher Rennie, who was a great-nephew to Thomas, said: "I appreciate every one coming out, it has been a really good turn out.

"It was a very emotional service, I was getting a bit choked up and it is great to see the community come together, I must thank Oldham Council they have done a really good job in getting everything together."

He added: "It's been a really good day."

Sgt Steele was born at Claytons, Springhead, to Harold and Elizabeth Steele, on February 6, 1891.

After being made redundant from working in the mills, Thomas, then aged 20, enlisted for the Seaforth Highlanders, a kilted Scots regiment created in 1881.

At 21 he was placed on a draft for the 1st Battalion Seaforths and during the later stages of WW1was a sergeant with his battalion in Palestine.

Upon his return home in 1919 he was presented with an inscribed gold watch for his achievements.

He played in the three quarters for rugby league side Healey St. Adults, where he helped the team win the Oldham Standard Challenge Cup, the Salford Hospital Cup and the Manchester League. He later turned part-time professional with Broughton Rangers, one of Rugby Leagues' founding members.

Although he was often unemployed after the war, from 1947 onwards Thomas worked for the Central Motor Company in Leicester as a stores foreman.

He returned home to Springhead in 1978, 16 years after the death of his wife Bertha, to be cared for due to ill health.

Thomas Steele passed away in 1978, aged 87, and was cremated in Hollinwood Crematorium. His ashes were buried in the family grave at St Anne's Church.

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