209594 Capt. Samuel Frickleton VC.New Zealand Exp. Force 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade from:New Zealand Samuel Frickleton was born in Slamannan, Stirlingshire, Scotland. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1908, and worked as a coal-miner in Blackball in the South Island
At the onset of the First World War, Frickleton and his four brothers joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and all fought at Gallipoli in 1915. After the battle, Frickleton was invalided home from Gallipoli and subsequently discharged as medically unfit for active service. Having recovered, he re-enlisted in 1916, and was posted to France as a lance-corporal in the 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
He was awarded a Victoria Cross of his action on 7th of June 1917 at Messines, Belgium. The citation notes that "although slightly wounded, Lance Corporal Frickleton dashed forward at the head of his section, rushed through a barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew, which were causing heavy casualties. He then attacked the second gun, killing the whole of the crew of twelve. By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties and his magnificent courage and gallantry ensured the capture of the objective."
Frickleton was severely wounded later in the war, and was evacuated to England. After the war, he remained in the Army.
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