Arthur Vickers

By Susan Tranter

 

Arthur Vickers was born on the 2nd February 1882 in 7 Court, Woodcock Street Aston. This was a poor and overcrowded working class district of Birmingham.

His father, John, was a brass strip caster and his mother was Amy nee Kennedy. John and Amy married on 4th April 1874 at St Laurence Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Arthur had six siblings, with three older brothers, a younger brother and two younger sisters.

He was small of stature, was thought to be no more than 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed less than eight stone but was known in the neighbourhood as a “good fellow”.

He became known as Midge or Titch to family, friends and comrades. He was also referred to as ‘the Midget VC ‘, after his award.

He attended a local school in Dartmouth Street where he also lived along with his siblings.  Leaving school, he started work at a local factory where he became a member of the firm’s football team and an enthusiastic and well regarded amateur boxer.

‘Go it little ’un’’ was heard from the crowd at Kyrle Hall in Gosta Green.

He joined the army aged 20 years in 1902 as a private in the 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment and served for six years. During this time, a keen sportsman he won a medal with the Regimental football team.

Arthur was working at Ready &Son a firm of brass founders in Birmingham at the outbreak of war and sought to re-join. Because of his height he tried 6 times at different recruiting offices to enlist until eventually he was accepted in the 2nd Battalion Warwickshire Regiment at the Curzon Street office. He was sent to France on the 4th May 1915.

Five months later on the 25th September 1915 during an attack on the German defences at Hulloch Arthur earned his Victoria Cross.

His citation reads: On 25 September 1915, during the Battle of Loos the 2^nd Battalion attacked at 6.30am in the morning. In the face of terrific fire, it reached the front line of trenches to find that the wire was not cut. Private Vickers, on his own initiative and with the utmost bravery ran forward in front of his Company and standing up in broad daylight under heavy fire, cut two gaps in the wire. His gallant action contributed largely to the success of the assault.

As described by those around him although coming under heavy fire from the enemy Arthur left the trenches and ran up to the wires that separated the forces.  It was daylight but he stood to cut the wires and let the troops through. He came under heavy fire but continued whilst all around him his comrades fell, dead or wounded.

His battalion paid a heavy price and many of Arthur’s comrades were killed, wounded or Missing in Action during the battle. By midnight on the 25^th the Battalion consisted of only 5 officers and 140 men out of a possible 523!

Arthur returned home to Birmingham on leave to a hero’s welcome from his family and friends.  Whilst home he attended many functions where everyone wanted to meet him and hear his story.  So popular was he that it is said he only spent one day with his family before having to return to the front.  Everywhere he went he was feted. He was much in demand as an advert for recruitment to the army and was held up as an example of patriotic valour by the establishment who tried to persuade him to become a permanent recruitment officer.

At this time Lord Mayor, Neville Chamberlain moved this resolution; ‘’ This Council, having heard with deep satisfaction that the Victoria Cross , the highest military distinction, has been conferred upon two citizens of Birmingham, resolves to express to Lieutenant James VC , the 4^th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment of Poplar Avenue and Lance-Corporal Vickers VC , 2^nd  Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment of Park Road, Aston, its profound admiration of the gallantry which has earned for them and for their native town so great an honour’’

Arthur was also chosen as one of those to form the Honor Guard at the burial of The Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in November 1920.

In April 1922 Arthur married a local girl, Lily Price.  They had only one child, a boy who died in infancy.

During the years between wars Arthur enjoyed his celebrity, very often to be found in Music Halls and concerts in and around Birmingham, where he was bought on to the stage and applauded by the audiences. He often was the guest of honour at dinners and gave speeches to local dignities.

During the second world war he served in the local Home Guard but became ill with tuberculosis and died in July 1944 aged 62 years.

Arthur Vickers was originally buried in an ummarked grave where he lay for 56 years. It was only after an inspection of cemetery  records in 1997 that his resting place was discovered and after a 3 year campaign by his family he was given a new headstone (as shown) in 2000.