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Sgt. John Erskine VC
British Army 5th/6th Btn. D Coy. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
from:Edinburgh
(d.14th April 1917)
John Erskine was killed in action on the 14th of April 1917, aged 23. Commemorated 6 on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France, he was the son of the late William Erskine, of Dunfermline, and of Mrs. Elizabeth Erskine, of 1 East Savile Rd., Edinburgh.
An extract from the London Gazette, dated 4th Aug., 1916, records the following :- "For most conspicuous bravery. Whilst the near lip of a crater, caused by the explosion of a large enemy mine, was being consolidated, Actg. Serjt. Erskine rushed out under continuous fire with utter disregard of danger and rescued a wounded serjeant and a private. Later, seeing his officer, who was believed to be dead, show signs of movement, he ran out to him, bandaged his head, and remained with him for fully an hour, though repeatedly fired at, whilst a shallow trench was being dug to them. He then assisted in bringing in his officer, shielding him with his own body in order to lessen the chance of his being hit again."
