Samuel Frickleton, VC
3rd Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade

Help us recover this nationally treasured collection of war medals.

Information Free Phone: 0800 VALOUR (0800 825687)

Sam Frickleton was born in a Scottish mining town, Slamannan, near Glasgow in 1891. In 1908 his family immigrated to New Zealand and Frickleton worked as a coal-miner in Blackball on the South Island’s West Coast. With the outbreak of WWI, he and his four brothers joined the NZEF and all saw service on Gallipoli in 1915. Frickleton was invalided home from Gallipoli and discharged as unfit for active service.

He recovered, re-enlisted and was posted to the Rifle Brigade to serve in France. During the battle for Messines he carried out the following actions, which won him the Victoria Cross.

"Although slightly wounded, Lance Corporal Frickleton dashed forward at the head of his section, rushed through a barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew, which were causing heavy casualties. He then attacked the second gun, killing the whole of the crew of twelve. By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties and his magnificent courage and gallantry ensured the capture of the objective."

Frickleton was later severely wounded and evacuated to England. After he attended a commissioning course he remained in the Army after the War, retiring with the rank of Captain in 1927 and joining the Territorial Force. A keen sportsman, he won many trophies for billiards, bowls and golf. He was married in 1921 and had one son born in 1928. He worked for a time for the Ford Motor Company and always had a great interest in a number of societies and Returned Services Associations.

Sam Frickleton died at Wellington in 1970 at the age of 80.

Contact the investigators

Please contact us with any information that might help the investigation:

Free phone   0800 VALOUR (0800 825 687)

or fax (06) 387 5579

or email us here:

Your name
Your email
Your phone number
Message

All information will be received in the strictest confidence and can be provided anonymously.