Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30122/supplement/57. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 40989 Private Ernest Sykes, 27th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, on 19th April 1917 near Arras, France, when his battalion in attack was held up about 350 yards in advance of our lines by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded – he made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those who were too badly wounded to be moved. These gallant actions, performed under incessant machine-gun and rifle fire, showed an utter contempt of danger.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30122, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30122/supplement/57. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 40989 Private Ernest Sykes, 27th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, on 19th April 1917 near Arras, France, when his battalion in attack was held up about 350 yards in advance of our lines by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded – he made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those who were too badly wounded to be moved. These gallant actions, performed under incessant machine-gun and rifle fire, showed an utter contempt of danger.