Battles/wars World War I † Unit Durham Light Infantry Battles and wars World War I | Role Armed force officer Name Arthur Lascelles Awards Victoria Cross | |
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Buried at Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension Allegiance South Africa
United Kingdom Years of service 1902 - 1915 (South Africa), 1915 - 1918 (UK) Rank Quartermaster Sergeant (South Africa)
Captain (UK) Died November 7, 1918, Limont-Fontaine, France Service/branch South African Army, British Army Similar People Roland Boys Bradford, Michael Heaviside, Adam Wakenshaw, Frederick Youens, Adam Archibald | ||
Arthur Moore Lascelles VC MC (12 October 1880 – 7 November 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was educated at Uppingham School and attended the University of Edinburgh but abandoned his medical studies in 1902 and emigrated to South Africa.
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Details
He was 37 years old, and an acting captain in the 3rd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army, attached to 14th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 3 December 1917 at Masnieres, France, during a very heavy bombardment Captain Lascelles, although wounded, continued to encourage his men and organize the defence until the attack was driven off. Shortly afterwards the enemy attacked again and captured the trench, taking several prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumped onto the parapet and followed by his 12 remaining men rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over 60 of the enemy back. Later the enemy attacked again and captured the trench and Captain Lascelles, who later managed to escape in spite of having received two further wounds.
He was killed in action, Fontaine-au-Bois, France, on 7 November 1918.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery, Durham, England.