James Stokes

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For the 19th century U.S. Representative from South Carolina, see J. William Stokes

James Stokes VC (6 February 1915-1 March 1945) was a Scottish 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.

[edit] Details

He was 30 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 1 March 1945 during an attack on Kervenheim, Rhineland, Germany, a platoon was pinned down by intense rifle and machine-gun fire from a farm building. Private Stokes dashed into the building firing from the hip and reappeared with 12 prisoners. During the operation he was wounded but refused to go to the regimental aid post and continued the advance with his platoon and rushed another house, taking five more prisoners. Now severely injured he insisted on taking part in the advance on the final objective, but fell mortally wounded 20 yards from the enemy position.

[edit] References

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)