Private William Norman was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross, the actions resulting in his medal having taken place nearly more than a year before its introduction.
Norman was born in Warrington, in the Cheshire East area where Muir Group Housing Association has helped to house thousands of residents during its 49-year existence.
He enlisted in the 7th Regiment of Foot in 1854, a regiment which would later become known as the Royal Fusiliers.
His inception into the British Armed Forces came seven months into the Crimean War; and just eight months after enlisting, Norman would perform deeds at Sebastapol which would see him recognised with his VC.
His citation in the London Gazette published on 24th February, 1857 read: “On 19 December 1854 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea, Private Norman was placed on single sentry duty some distance in front of the advanced sentries of an outlying picquet in the White Horse Ravine, a post of much danger and requiring great vigilance.
“The Russian picquet was posted about 300 yards in front of him, and three Russians came reconnoitring under cover of the brushwood. Private Norman single-handed, took two of them prisoner without alarming the Russian picquet.”
Norman was presented with his Victoria Cross medal on 26 June 1857, the first day of presentation for the newly instituted decoration for valour.
The Victoria Cross presented to Private William Norman VC can be found on display at the Tower of London.
Norman would eventually rise to the rank of corporal before leaving the army in 1865.
He died, aged 64, in 1896, and is buried at Weaste Cemetery in Salford.