Samuel Frickleton

He charged through a barrage and silenced both machine guns.

Samuel Frickleton was born in Slamannan, Scotland, in 1891 and became a coal miner in New Zealand. He enlisted during the First World War, but illness interrupted his first period overseas. Re-enlisting in 1916, he went to France and joined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade.

At Messines in Belgium on 7 June 1917, his battalion was checked by machine-gun fire. Though already wounded, Lance Corporal Frickleton led his section through the barrage and destroyed one gun position with grenades. He then attacked a second and killed its crew. By removing both obstacles he enabled the objective to be captured and reduced further casualties. He was wounded again during consolidation.

King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Ibrox Park in September 1917. Commissioned in 1918, Frickleton returned to New Zealand because of ill health and served in the Staff Corps. After medical retirement in 1927, he resumed Territorial service and reached captain. He was rejected for overseas service during the Second World War because of his medical history and remained active in veterans' affairs. He died in 1971 and was buried at Taita Servicemen's Cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with attacking troops, which came under heavy fire and were checked. Although slightly wounded, Cpl. Frickleton dashed forward at the head of his section, pushed into the barrage, and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew which was causing heavy casualties. He then attacked a second gun, killing the whole of the crew of twelve. By the destruction of these two guns, he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties, and his magnificent courage and gallantry ensured the capture of the objective. During the consolidation of the position he received a second severe wound. He set, throughout, a great example of heroism.