Harold Ackroyd

Saved wounded men, under fierce fire in the Ypres offensive.

Harold Ackroyd was a physician and scientific researcher before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1915. Educated at Cambridge and trained at Guy's Hospital, he pursued research into nutrition and metabolism. As medical officer to the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, he accompanied his soldiers to France and became a Captain in 1916.

During the fighting at Delville Wood on the Somme in July 1916, he repeatedly exposed himself to shelling and sniper fire while tending and evacuating the wounded. This work earned the Military Cross.

On 31 July and 1 August 1917, near Ypres, Ackroyd again worked tirelessly across and ahead of the British line. Under rifle, machine gun and shell fire, he treated casualties and carried men to safety. His courage and persistence saved many lives and encouraged the troops around him.

He was killed by a sniper on 11 August 1917, aged forty. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously for the earlier rescue work. He is buried in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. During recent operations Capt. Ackroyd displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty. Utterly regardless of danger, he worked continuously for many hours up and down and in front of the line tending the wounded and saving the lives of officers and men. In so doing he had to move across the open under heavy machine gun, rifle and shell fire. He carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under very heavy fire. On another occasion he went some way in front of our advanced line and brought in a wounded man under continuous sniping and machine gun fire. His heroism was the means of saving many lives, and provided a magnificent example of courage, cheerfulness, and determination to the fighting men in whose midst he was carrying out his splendid work. This gallant officer has since been killed in action.

Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 4 September 1917. 6 September 1917, Numb. 30272, p. 9259