Helping others was his life

CHADWICK Middleton devoted his life to the people of Oldham, tirelessly campaigning and volunteering in the town.

Born in Oldham in 1910, Mr Middleton started a career in insurance before volunteering to serve in the RAF as a flight mechanic during the Second World War.

He was captured as a prisoner of war, spending three years in a Japanese camp, constructing railways and building tunnels, before being allowed to return home at the end of the war.

Mr Middleton then became instrumental in the fight for wider recognition, compensation and apologies for his former colleagues as the chairman of Oldham and District Far East Prisoners of War Association, a position he held for more than 30 years.

He was also dedicated to helping the community of Oldham, serving as a town magistrate for 23 years, as well as volunteering as an alderman and councillor for a decade.

Mr Middleton was founding member of Oldham Multiple Sclerosis Society, serving as chairman for 32 years and he also helped to raise money for New Vale House centre for the disabled.

His hard work and efforts earned him an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1998 for Services to the Community and the Far East Prisoner of War Associations.

A modest man, he was “very pleased, but also embarrassed” when he was voted “Man of Oldham” in 2002, the same year he carried the Queen’s Jubilee Baton.

He died in August, 2003, aged 92 after dedicating his life to helping others in the community.

Mr Middleton was nominated for a statue by his son John Middleton after spotting the Chronicle’s stories on potential candidates.

He said: “While I appreciate that he was not nationally or internationally known, I feel that he devoted the majority of his life to Oldham and its people, for which he was awarded the MBE.

“His roles, bar my father’s occupation with the Ministry of Pensions, were all voluntary, and at