Frederick George Room

He treated and carried wounded men under relentless gunfire.

Frederick George Room was born in Bristol on 31 May 1895. A metal turner and former Church Lads’ Brigade member, he enlisted in 1914. He transferred to the Royal Irish Regiment and reached France in July 1915, serving as a stretcher-bearer.

At Frezenberg on 16 August 1917, his company occupied scattered shell holes and short trenches under heavy attack. In charge of its stretcher-bearers, Room repeatedly dressed casualties and helped evacuate them while exposed to intense fire. His sustained devotion earned the Victoria Cross. Promoted acting corporal on 30 October 1917, he received the decoration in Bristol that November.

Discharged in 1919 after recurring heart problems, he returned to engineering work and married Ellen Sargent. His health deteriorated, eventually forcing him to stop working. He died in Bristol on 19 January 1932 and was buried in Greenbank Cemetery.

Official Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette, 17 October 1917, page 10678: For most conspicuous bravery when in charge of his company stretcher-bearers. During the day the company had many casualties, principally from enemy machine guns and snipers. The company was holding a line of shell-holes and short trenches. L./Cpl. Room worked continuously under intense fire, dressing the wounded and helping to evacuate them. Throughout this period, with complete disregard for his own life, he showed unremitting devotion to his duties. By his courage and fearlessness he was the means of saving many of his comrades lives.