Arthur Moore Lascelles

Arthur Moore Lascelles
Born	12 October 1880 Streatham, London
Died	7 November 1918 (aged 38) Fontaine-au-Bois, France
Buried	Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension
Allegiance	South Africa  United Kingdom
Service/branch	South African Army British Army
Years of service	1902 - 1915 (South Africa), 1915 - 1918 (UK)
Rank	Quartermaster Sergeant (South Africa) Captain (UK)
Unit	The Durham Light Infantry
Battles/wars	World War I †
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Cross

Arthur Moore Lascelles VC MC (12 October 1880 – 7 November 1918) 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. He was educated at Uppingham School and attended the University of Edinburgh but abandoned his medical studies in 1902 and emigrated to South Africa.

Details

He was 37 years old, and an acting captain in the 3rd Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, British Army, attached to 14th Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 3 December 1917 at Masnieres, France, during a very heavy bombardment Captain Lascelles, although wounded, continued to encourage his men and organize the defence until the attack was driven off. Shortly afterwards the enemy attacked again and captured the trench, taking several prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumped onto the parapet and followed by his 12 remaining men rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over 60 of the enemy back. Later the enemy attacked again and captured the trench and Captain Lascelles, who later managed to escape in spite of having received two further wounds.^[1]

He was killed in action, Fontaine-au-Bois, France, on 7 November 1918.^[2]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery, Durham, England.

References

• Arthur Moore Lascelles at Find a Grave
• DLI Biography