Thomas (Tommy) Ricketts (April 15, 1901 – February 10, 1967) was a Newfoundlander and a 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.
Details
Born on April 15, 1901 in Middle Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland, Ricketts enlisted aged 15 and 4 months into the 1st Bn, Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the First World War. He was wounded in the leg at Cambrai, but soon returned to his regiment. The following deed took place October 14, 1918 at Ledeghem, Belgium, for which Ricketts was awarded the VC.
No. 3102 Pte. Thomas Ricketts, 1st Bn., R. Newfoundland R.
<p>For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 14th October, 1918, during the advance from Ledeghem, when the attack was temporarily held up by heavy hostile fire and the platoon to which he belonged suffered severe casualties from the fire of a battery at point-blank range.
<p>Pte. Ricketts at once volunteered to go forward with his section commander and a Lewis gun to attempt to outflank the battery. Advancing by short rushes under heavy fire from enemy machine guns with the hostile battery, their ammunition was exhausted when still 300 yards from the battery. The enemy, seeing an opportunity to get their field guns away, began to bring up their gun teams. Pte. Ricketts, at once realising the situation, doubled back 100 yards under the heaviest machine-gun fire, procured further ammunition, and dashed back again to the Lewis gun, and by very accurate fire drove the enemy and the gun teams into a farm.
<p>His platoon then advanced without casualties, and captured the four field guns, four machine guns, and eight prisoners.
<p>A fifth field gun was subsequently intercepted by fire and captured.
<p>By his presence of mind in anticipating the enemy intention and his utter disregaid of personal safety, Pte. Ricketts secured the further supply of ammunition which directly resulted in these important captures and undoubtedly saved many lives.
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From The London Gazette Issue 31108 January 3, 1919 (Fourth Supplement January 6, 1919 p.309).
For this incident, Ricketts was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V himself, and promoted to Sergeant. At the investiture, King George introduced Ricketts as "the youngest VC in My army." Ricketts also received the British War Medal 1914–1920, the Victory Medal 1914–1919, 1937 GVIR Coronation Medal, 1953 EIIR Coronation Medal and France's Croix de Guerre with Golden Star
After the war, Ricketts studied Pharmacy, and opened a business on Water Street in St. John's. He was given a state funeral when he died in 1967, and is commemorated by a memorial on the former site of his pharmacy.
Ricketts is buried at the Anglican Cemetery, Forest Road, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Ricketts' medals are kept at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Note: Despite many refs, Thomas Ricketts was NOT awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sometimes considered to be Canadian although it should be borne in mind that Newfoundland only became a Province of Canada in 1949.
External links
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.
