James Stokes
Private, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 1184 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- King's Shropshire Light Infantry all King's Shropshire Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 March 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 17th April 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 6th February 1915 at Hutchesontown, Lanark, Scotland
- Died
- in action on 1st March 1945 at Kervenheim, Rhineland
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Reichwald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
During the attack on, Kervenheim, Rhineland, on the 1st March 1945, the advance platoon came under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, from a farm building, pinning them down. Privates Stokes, on his own initiative, dashed forwards through the German fire, firing his gun from the hip and entered the building. Privates Stokes appeared with 12 prisoners. He had received a neck wound. The platoon, now able to advance, set-off for the new objective. Privates Stokes refused to go back for treatment to his wound. They again came under heavy fire from a building on the left. Once more Private Stokes rushed forward towards the house and was seen to fall wounded. Getting to his feet, under intense fire, he entered the house and brought out of five more prisoners. The company were about to attack the next objective, an enemy strong point in a huddle of buildings. Privates Stokes, now severely wounded, rushed forward the remaining distance to the objective, again firing from the hip, through extremely heavy enemy fire. He eventually fell wounded 20 yards from the enemy, still firing his rifle
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STOKES, James. (reg No. 1184).
Private. King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 17th April 1945.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 6th February 1915 at Hutchesontown, Lanark, Scotland.
Killed in action on 1st March 1945 at Kervenheim, Rhineland.
Memorial on grave at Reichwald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves.
Digest of Citation reads: During the attack on, Kervenheim, Rhineland, on the 1st March 1945, the advance platoon came under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, from a farm building, pinning them down. Privates Stokes, on his own initiative, dashed forwards through the German fire, firing his gun from the hip and entered the building. Privates Stokes appeared with 12 prisoners. He had received a neck wound. The platoon, now able to advance, set-off for the new objective. Privates Stokes refused to go back for treatment to his wound. They again came under heavy fire from a building on the left. Once more Private Stokes rushed forward towards the house and was seen to fall wounded. Getting to his feet, under intense fire, he entered the house and brought out of five more prisoners. The company were about to attack the next objective, an enemy strong point in a huddle of buildings. Privates Stokes, now severely wounded, rushed forward the remaining distance to the objective, again firing from the hip, through extremely heavy enemy fire. He eventually fell wounded 20 yards from the enemy, still firing his rifle.
Additional information:. Privates Stokes was said to have waved goodbye as the company passed him on the way to their objective. It is believed that he knew he was dying from his wounds, eight in all. His efforts allowed his platoon and company to advance on their objectives. Even though he never lived to see it.
Additional information
Privates Stokes was said to have waved goodbye as the company passed him on the way to their objective. It is believed that he knew he was dying from his wounds, eight in all. His efforts allowed his platoon and company to advance on their objectives. Even though he never lived to see it.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Reichwald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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