Arthur Vickers VC (2 February 1882 – 27 July 1944) was an English soldier and a recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to

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and

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forces. He was also awarded the French

Croix de Guerre The (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awarded during World ...

Details

Vickers was 33 years old, and a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

in the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment,

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. The citation stated: He received his medal from

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until Death and state funeral of George V, his death in 1936. George w ...

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in 1916.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of

sergeant Sergeant (Sgt) is a Military rank, rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and in other units that draw their heritage f ...

, and served in the army until 1935. He died in Birmingham in 1944 and is buried at the city's Witton Cemetery.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire) The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire) is situated at Pageant House in Jury Street, Warwick, England. History The trustees of the museum joined forces with Warwickshire County Council to acquire St John's House Museum, Warw ...

, Warwick, England.

References

Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Vickers, Arthur 1882 births 1944 deaths Military personnel from Birmingham, West Midlands British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers soldiers British Army personnel of World War I British recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross Burials in West Midlands (region)