LIEUT. FRICKLETON, V.C

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 229, 15 June 1918, Page 6

LIEUT. FRICKLETON, V.C

ARRIVES IN WELLINGTON

WELCOMED BY RETURNED

SOLDIERS

A New Zealaiuler who holds the mqsi coveted of all way decorations, the Victoria Cross, reached Wellington yesterday, in the person of Lieutenant S. l'Viekleton, V.C. Jle wiM accompanied by hia mother, Mrs. l-'ricUletou, who had mot her son in Auckland, jnil is now on her war with him to tireymouUi. Mrs, Fi-ickleton has had ftv« sons wearing the King's uniform during the present war. The lirsl enlisted on August 5, 1914; three enlisted on January 30, 1913; and the fifth enlisted at the age of 18 years on May 8, lillfi. One eon was killed at the liattle of the Soimne, and the other four have been returned to New Zealand wounded. Lieutenant i'nckleton. won hie V.C. and hie commission at Messines on June 7, JIII7. Lieutenant. Fricklcton was welcomed at (lie Returned Soldiers' Club yesterday by the president of the N.Z. Returned Soldiers' Association (Mr. C. W. Batten), the manager of the club (Sir. J. J-ox), and other officials of the association. Hβ was assured that the returned soldiers were proud to receive among them a New Zealamier who had earned the highest honour to be achieved by & British, soldier. Lieutenant frickleton met old comrades among the members of the association, for he saw service first on Gallinoli, and was invalided back to Mγ Zealand more than two years ago. Hβ rejoined • the New Zealand- forces after their arrival in France. I The Victoria Cross was awarded to : Lieutenant Fricklelon "for most conspicuous bravery, ami-determination when, with attacking troops, whi:h came under licavv fire and were checked, fhe cir-cumstances-were .stated briefly in he .Imperial- Gazette at. the. time of the aW,l \\thongh slightly wouivlcd, LanceCorporal Samuel. J-'ricklston .cashed. , forward at the head of Ins section, pushed into our barrage and personally destroyed with bombs-an enemy machine-gun and crew, which were causing heavy casualties. He then • attacked a second, gun, killing he whole of the crew, of .twelve. By lha "destnielinn of these two.guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties and his magnificent courage and gallantry on-. 'uv«l the capture of the objective. Burins? the-consolidation of the posi--tion he'received at second eevevo ' ,vou,nd. ' He set throughout a. great cNamule of heroifiu. . l,i utenant Frickleton received lnsMo«uUi with -Mr*. Frickleton this evening- •"■ ' • ■