Arthur Moor Lascelles VC
Arthur was born on 12 October 1880 at Streatham in London to John Lascelles and Mary Elizabeth Cotton.
John Lascelles was in investor although there was military connection as Arthurs Grandfather. John Lascelles was a Royal Navy Commander and his great grandfather General lascelles of the Dragoon Guards.
Arthur was educated at Uppingham before moving to South Africa where he served with the Cape Mounted Rifles serving through the rebellion and the German South Western Campaign and he met and married his wife Sophia.
He obtained a discharge in November 1915 and returned to England living in Richmond Road, Olton near Birmingham .Sophia joined the war effort by working in a munitions factory and his son Reginald George Lascelles , later to be Lt Colonel Lascelles, was born.
He enlisted in the British Army where he was appointed as a Sergeant but quickly commissioned as a Second lieutenant by the Durham Light Infantry in which his late brother Reginald had served.
He fought with distinction being wounded by shrapnel soon after arriving in 1916 and was awarded the Miliary Cross for his part in a bombing raid.
On 3 December 1917 he was manning the front line trenches with his men when he was involved in action that would see him awarded the VC.
Citation from the London Gazette:-"For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty when in command of his company in a very exposed position. After a very heavy bombardment during which Capt. Lascelles was wounded, the enemy attacked in strong force but was driven off, success being due in a great degree to the fine example set by this officer, who, refusing to allow his wound to be dressed, continued to encourage his men and organise the defence. Shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench, taking several of his men prisoners. Capt. Lascelles at once jumped on to the parapet and followed by the remainder of his company, 12 men only, rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over 60 of the enemy back, thereby saving a most critical situation. He was untiring in reorganising the position, but shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench and Capt. Lascelles, who escaped later. The remarkable determination and gallantry of this officer in the course of operations, during which he received two further wounds, afforded an inspiring example to all."
Although badly injured Arthur returned to duty after treatment in the Kings College Hospital in London but he was killed in action 7 November 1918 at Limont, near Fontaine, France and is buried in the Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Arthurs VC is on display at the Palace Green Library in Durham University
