Arthur Poulter

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Arthur Poulter VC (16 December 1893-29 August 1956) 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.

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[edit] Details

He was 24 years old, and a private in the 1/4th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 10 April 1918 at Erquinghem Lys, France, Private Poulter, who was acting as a stretcher-bearer, on 10 occasions carried badly wounded men on his back through particularly heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Two of the wounded were hit a second time whilst on his back. Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Private Poulter returned in full view of the enemy and carried back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged 40 men under fire and was seriously wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.

[edit] Further information

  • He was employed as a Drayman at the Timothy Taylor Brewery, Leeds, Where a new beer, called Havercake Ale, was produced to mark the 300th anniversary of the The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment. See:- Brewery archive news.
  • The Town of Erguinghem Lys, France has erected a memorial to Pte Poulter, next to the railway line. In 2005 the keys to the town were presented to the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding). See:- Regimental News

[edit] The medal

His Victoria Cross was donated, by his family (18 August 1999), to the Duke of Wellington's regimental Museum (Halifax, West Yorkshire, England), where it is now on public display.

[edit] References

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