FRICKLETON, V.C.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 221, 6 June 1918, Page 4

FRICKLETON, V.C.

DEEDS THAT AVON THE COVETEB HONOUR. In the recently-published list of returning to New Zealand in the near future appears the name of Second-Lieu-tenant S. Frickleton, V.C, the first winner of tho Victoria Cross in tho present war to return to these shores. This is .the second time Lieutenant Frickleton has been invalided home, so that ho Una enjoyed the privilege of bavins enlisted, twice voluntarily. The deeds which gained for him tho coveted Cross, tho highest distinction tllint can be earned in the Army or Navy, wero reported in our columns at the time of their occurrence. During the- Mcssines Battle in August last, the West Coast hero, although wounded whilst, his section was temporarily checked by the heavy fire of tho eneiny, da<flicd ahead, and pushed by. himself into the barrage. He personally bombed and destroyed a machinegun which had been causing heavy casualties. Ho then attacked a eecond ma-chine-gun, killing the wholo crew of twelve, and turned tho gun on to thi) German trenches, accounting for many German dead, and undoubtedly saving his own nml other units from the sever-i est casualties. His magnificent courage ensured tho canturo of tho objective. Lieutenant Frickleton was again severely wounded whilst (ho section was consolidating its position, and set throughout a great example of heroism.

Another brother. Gunner Herbert Frickleton, was wounded in the same Battle, a.nd wns invalided .home in January last. In nil, the Frickleton fnmily hns given five 60ns to the cause of the Allies, ono of whom. Private William Frickleton, wns killed nt the Battle of the Somrae in 1316, and two others have been badly wounded, and are now back in Now Zealand. Lieutenant Frickleton is returning to New Zealand on service. His Bister's husband, Private Symonp. of tho Imperial Forces, was killed at *ho Battle of the Aisne, in 1914.