Arthur Vickers

One man. One pair of wire cutters. One act of courage that opened the way for an entire battalion.

Sergeant Arthur Vickers VC (2 February 1882 to 27 July 1944) was an English soldier of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment whose fearless actions during the Battle of Loos earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born in Birmingham, Vickers enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and had completed several years of military service before returning to civilian life. Following the outbreak of the First World War, he rejoined his regiment and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, serving on the Western Front. On 25 September 1915, during the fighting at Hulluch, France, he volunteered to cut through heavily defended enemy barbed wire that had halted his battalion's advance. Working under intense rifle and machine gun fire, he repeatedly exposed himself to danger until a sufficient gap had been created for the assault to continue. His extraordinary courage played a decisive role in the success of the attack.

For this act of conspicuous bravery, Vickers was awarded the Victoria Cross, announced in the London Gazette on 16 November 1915. He later received his decoration from King George V at Buckingham Palace. His gallantry was also recognised by France with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, a distinction awarded for being mentioned at Army level in French despatches.

Like many veterans of the Great War, Vickers carried the memories of the battlefield throughout his life. He remained closely associated with fellow Victoria Cross recipients and was awarded the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937 as one of the distinguished holders of Britain's highest gallantry decoration. He died in Birmingham on 27 July 1944, aged 62, and was buried in Witton Cemetery.

Arthur Vickers remains remembered as one of Birmingham's most celebrated First World War heroes. His courage at Hulluch stands as a remarkable example of determination, self sacrifice and devotion to duty under the most dangerous conditions imaginable. His Victoria Cross and associated medals are preserved by The Royal Warwickshire Regiment Museum, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.