Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas Molloy

Stunning Remembrance Day mural appears on side of house in Greater Manchester

A Victoria Cross recipient has been memorialised in his home town as part of a stunning Remembrance Day mural.

Alfred Wilkinson was awarded the prestigious honour for his bravery during the Battle of the Selle, in the First World War.

In 2018, a statue of the Leigh-born soldier was erected on the green at Pennington Wharf and he has now been painted on the side of a house in Twist Lane.

READ MORE : Greater Manchester remembers - Communities come together to honour the fallen

Street artists Kelzo and Evan Barlow spent almost two weeks completing the artwork, in time for Remembrance Day.

Kelzo poses alongside his artwork (Manchester Evening News)

Local councillor John Harding, who represents the Atherleigh Ward, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's brought the town together and had a fantastic response across a number of social media pages.

"The support for it has been amazing. Kelzo and Evan Barlow have done a fantastic job of this local hero.

"It's a memorial for future generations. Although it singles out that local hero, it also represents all the fallen and is a reminder of the sacrifice given by all our armed forces members."

Fittingly, the person who lives in the house is a serving member of the RAF, according to Coun Harding.

The artwork was created with funding from Wigan Council's Brighter Borough fund.

Other local businesses such as the Leigh branch of B&Q, Rothwell Builders and Ross Roofing helped to get the mural created on time.

Sign up to the MEN email newsletters to get the latest on sport, news, what's on and more by following this link.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.