Thomas Ricketts
Private, 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment. CEF
- Register No.
- 1051 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment. CEF all Royal Newfoundland Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th January 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 15th April 1901 at Middle Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland
- Died
- 10th February 1967 at St John's, Newfoundland
- Memorial / grave
- Anglican Cemetery, Forest Rd., St. John's, Newfoundland
Digest of citation
On 14 October 1918 at Ledeghem, Belgium, Private Rickets volunteered to go with his section commander and a Lewis gun in an attempt to out-flank an enemy battery causing casualties at pointy blank range. Their ammunition was exhausted when still 300 yards from the battery and the enemy began to bring up their gun teams. Private Rickets doubled back 100 yards under the heaviest machine-gun fire, procured ammunition and dashed back again to the Lewis gun. They then drove the enemy and gun teams into a farm and the platoon was able to advance. They captured four field guns, four machine-guns and eight prisoners
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
RICKETTS, Thomas. (Reg. No. 1051)
Private 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment. CEF.
London Gazetted on 6th January 1919.
Born on: 15th April 1901 at Middle Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland.
Died on: 10th February 1967 at St John's, Newfoundland.
Memorial at: Anglican Cemetery, Forest Rd., St. John's, Newfoundland.
Digest of Citation reads: On 14 October 1918 at Ledeghem, Belgium, Private Rickets volunteered to go with his section commander and a Lewis gun in an attempt to out-flank an enemy battery causing casualties at pointy blank range. Their ammunition was exhausted when still 300 yards from the battery and the enemy began to bring up their gun teams. Private Rickets doubled back 100 yards under the heaviest machine-gun fire, procured ammunition and dashed back again to the Lewis gun. They then drove the enemy and gun teams into a farm and the platoon was able to advance. They captured four field guns, four machine-guns and eight prisoners.
Additional information: Thomas Ricketts was the son of John and Amelia Ricketts. His father was a fisherman of Middle Arm, Newfoundland. He joined the army at the age of 15, whilst still a schoolboy, giving his age as 18. Whilst serving in the European War (WW1) he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the French Croix de Guerre(with Golden Star) When he was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V at the investiture in York Cottage at Sandringham, the King introduced Private Rickets to a Bishop, who was also in the room, saying, "This is the youngest VC in my Army."
Additional information
Thomas Ricketts was the son of John and Amelia Ricketts. His father was a fisherman of Middle Arm, Newfoundland. He joined the army at the age of 15, whilst still a schoolboy, giving his age as 18. Whilst serving in the European War (WW1) he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the French Croix de Guerre(with Golden Star) When he was presented with his Victoria Cross by King George V at the investiture in York Cottage at Sandringham, the King introduced Private Rickets to a Bishop, who was also in the room, saying, "This is the youngest VC in my Army."
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Anglican Cemetery, Forest Rd., St. John's, Newfoundland
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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