Edward Felix Baxter

He cut enemy wire under fire to open the way for his raiders

Edward Felix Baxter was born at Oldswinford, near Stourbridge, on 18 September 1885. Educated at Hartlebury Grammar School and Christ's Hospital, he worked as a bank clerk and later taught commercial subjects at Skerry's College in Liverpool. He married Leonora Cornish in 1906 and they had a daughter. A keen motorcyclist, he competed in the 1910 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy but retired after damaging his machine.

He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in September 1914 and served as a dispatch rider. Commissioned into the King's Liverpool Regiment in September 1915, he joined its 1/8th Battalion in France in January 1916 and became bombing officer.

During preparations for a raid near Ransart and Blairville on 17 and 18 April 1916, Baxter helped cut wire close to the German trenches. When a primed grenade slipped from his hand, he recovered it, removed the detonator and smothered it in the ground. His quick action prevented an explosion that could have killed men and betrayed the raiders.

He then led his party into the enemy trench, shot a sentry and helped attack dugouts. After assisting the last man back over the parapet he disappeared. German information later confirmed his death on 18 April. His posthumous Victoria Cross was presented to his widow at Buckingham Palace on 29 November 1916. His remains were subsequently reburied in Fillievres British Cemetery. His final rank was second lieutenant.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. Prior to a raid on the hostile line he was engaged during two nights in cutting wire close to the enemy’s trenches. The enemy could be heard on the other side of the parapet. Second Lieutenant Baxter, while assisting in the wire cutting, held a bomb in his hand with the pin withdrawn ready to throw. On one occasion the bomb slipped and fell to the ground, but he instantly picked it up, unscrewed the base plug, and took out the detonator, which he smothered in the ground, thereby preventing the alarm being given, and undoubtedly saving many casualties. Later, he led the left storming party with the greatest gallantry, and was the first man into the trench, shooting the sentry with his revolver. He then assisted to bomb dugouts, and finally climbed out of the trench and assisted the last man over the parapet. After this he was not seen again, though search parties went out at once to look for him. There seems no doubt that he lost his life in his great devotion to duty.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 26 September 1916. 26 September 1916, Numb. 29765, p. 9417