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Thomas Ricketts

Thomas Ricketts
Thomas ricketts, VC.jpg
Born 15 April 1901
Died 10 February 1967 (aged 66)
Buried at St. John's, Newfoundland
Allegiance Newfoundland
Years of service 1916 – 1919
Rank Sergeant
Unit Royal Newfoundland Regiment
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross
Croix de Guerre (France)

Thomas "Tommy" Ricketts VC (April 15, 1901 – February 10, 1967) was a Newfoundlander soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Ricketts is the youngest army recipient fighting in a combatant role.

Ricketts, who was 17 years old and a private in the 1st Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War, performed the following on October 14, 1918 for which he was awarded the VC:

During the advance from Ledgehem (Belgium) the attack was temporarily held up by heavy hostile fire, and the platoon to which he belonged suffered severe casualties from the fire of a battery at point blank range. Private Ricketts at once volunteered to go forward with his Section Commander and a Lewis gun to attempt to outflank the battery. They advanced by short rushes while subject to severe fire from enemy machine guns.

When 300 yards away, their ammunition gave out. The enemy, seeing an opportunity to get their field guns away, began to bring up their gun teams. Private Ricketts at once realized the situation. He doubled back 100 yards, procured some ammunition and dashed back to the Lewis gun, and by very accurate fire drove the enemy and their gun teams into a farm. His platoon then advanced without casualties, and captured four field guns, four machine guns and eight prisoners. A fifth field gun was subsequently intercepted by fire and captured. By his presence of mind in anticipating the enemy intention and his utter disregard for personal safety, Private Ricketts secured the further supplies of ammunition which directly resulted in these important captures and undoubtedly saved many lives.

King George V presented Ricketts with his VC at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate on January 19, 1919. At the ceremony, the King reportedly stated: "This is the youngest VC in my army." General Dighton Probyn, one of the oldest living VC holders at the time, was also present at the investiture.


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