John Erskine
Sergeant, 5th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
- Register No.
- 385 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 5th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) all Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) VCs →
- Date of action
- 22 June 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 5th August 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 13th January 1894 at Dunfermline, Scotland
- Died
- 14th April 1917 at Arras, France
- Memorial / grave
- on Arras Memorial, France
Digest of citation
On 22nd June 1916 at Givenchy, France, whilst the near lip of a crater caused by the explosion of a large mine was being consolidated, Sergeant Erskine rushed out under continuous fire and rescued a wounded sergeant and a private. Later, seeing his officer, who was believed to be dead, showing signs of movement, he ran to him, bandaged his head and remained with him for fully an hour, being repeatedly fired on. When assistance arrived, he helped to bring in the officer, shielding him with his own body to lessen the chance of his being hit again
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ERSKINE, John. (reg No. 385)
Sergeant 5th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
London Gazetted on 5th August 1916.
Born on 13th January 1894 at Dunfermline, Scotland.
Died on 14th April 1917 at Arras, France.
Memorial on Arras Memorial, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 22nd June 1916 at Givenchy, France, whilst the near lip of a crater caused by the explosion of a large mine was being consolidated, Sergeant Erskine rushed out under continuous fire and rescued a wounded sergeant and a private. Later, seeing his officer, who was believed to be dead, showing signs of movement, he ran to him, bandaged his head and remained with him for fully an hour, being repeatedly fired on. When assistance arrived, he helped to bring in the officer, shielding him with his own body to lessen the chance of his being hit again.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Arras Memorial, France
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour John Erskine by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.