McCarthy & Stone honours Altrincham war hero

McCarthy & Stone has honoured an Altrincham war hero by naming its new retirement development in the town Speakman Court.

To decide the name for the development on Barrington Road, McCarthy & Stone invited local people to submit their ideas. Altrincham resident Josephine Reynolds suggested honouring Bill Speakman, the first person to receive a Victoria Cross invested by Queen Elizabeth II.

Josephine, 66, collected her prize of £200 at the new development and said: “As soon as I saw the competition to name the new development in the local paper, I immediately thought of Bill Speakman. I was 10 years old when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry and we all went down to the Town Hall in Altrincham to welcome him home from Korea. It was such an exciting day as everyone was waving flags and clamouring to shake hands with our local hero.

“I was absolutely delighted to find out I’d won the competition to name McCarthy & Stone’s new development after Bill Speakman. I am proud to live in Altrincham, where this brave man was born, and am thrilled that he has been honoured in this wonderful way.”

Bill Speakman is one of few living Victoria Cross holders. A private in the Black Watch Royal Highlanders in Korea in November 1951, Speakman broke up several enemy attacks. On his own initiative he collected six men and a pile of grenades and led a series of charges. Despite being wounded in the leg, he kept the enemy at bay for long enough to enable his company to withdraw safely.

Although his award was made by King George VI, Speakman was the first person to receive the Victoria Cross invested by Queen Elizabeth II.

McCarthy & Stone’s new development of one and two bedroom retirement apartments in Altrincham enjoys an ideal location on the corner of Barrington Road and Gaskell Road. Altrincham’s town centre is only 500 yards away, offering plenty of shops and amenities. For a relaxing stroll John Leigh Park is the same distance away while the famous Dunham Park is less than two miles away. For travel further afield, the development is well served by public transport with Manchester city centre easily accessible by bus or Metrolink.

First occupations are scheduled for summer 2010. For further information about Speakman Court, visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk.