17-year-old Newfoundland soldier Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC the youngest-ever recipient of the Victoria Cross, Monday 14 October 1918. On enlistment, Tommy stated his age as 18 years and 3 months, much older than his real age of 15.
Like many of his buddies, Tommy lied about his age to enlist. Later in October 1918, one of the few Newfoundlanders to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC). He was still two years too young to be on the front.
In the 152 years the VC has existed, awarded just 1,356 times. Private Ricketts’ family later donated his Victoria Cross to the Canadian War Museum in 2003. Ricketts, died in 1967 at the age of 65, also awarded the French Croix de Guerre during the Great War.
Middle Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland
Private Thomas Ricketts 3102 a fisherman born in Middle Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland on 15 April 1901.
Thomas stood 5′ 6″ tall, 126 pounds, light brown hair, brown eyes and fair complexion when he attested on 2 September 1916. Later, embarked St John’s per SS HORIZEL for Windsor, 31 January 1917.
France
Private Thomas Ricketts later embarked for the BEF on 11 June 1917.
Thomas joined the 1st Battalion, Newfoundland Regiment later on 2 July 1917. One year and one day following their decimation on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Wounded
Thomas wounded 20 November 1917 during the attack with the 29th Division at Cambrai when they pierced the Hindenburg Line. Ricketts later admitted to hospital, GSW leg (severe) 21 November 1917. Invalided to England 28 November 1917, and later admitted London General Hospital, 28 November 1917.
On 3 December 1917, Thomas’ brother George Ricketts 1703 missing and later reported killed-in-action – George commemorated on the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. George severely wounded (GSW face) a year previously, 13 December 1916. Like his brother, managed to return to his unit following his recovery.
Ricketts granted furlough, then attached to Depot on 19 December 1917.
Once again, Thomas embarked for the BEF on 4 April 1918. However, by this time, aware of his brother’s death.
Pte Thomas Ricketts joined his battalion in the field, later on 30 April 1918.
Victoria Cross Action
On 16 October 1918, Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC requests his pay to be forwarded to his father, instead of the present payee, his sister Rachel Javen (Thomas’ father just released from imprisonment).
March to the Rhine
Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC later decorated with the French Croix du Guerre with Golden Star on or about 28 December 1918 by the Corps Commander, Field Marshal Sir Claud William Jacob in Germany. Thomas presently participating in the Allied Occupation of Germany following the March to the Rhine.
London Gazette
Victoria Cross, Ledgeham, Belgium, London Gazette, 6 January 1919.
Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC joined 2nd Battalion Winchester from BEF 19 January 1919.
At Sandringham on 19 January 1919, Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC introduced to H.M. the King, H.R.H. Princess Mary, H.R.H. Prince George, Crown Prince of Norway, H.M. the Queen, General Sir Dighton Probyn, V.C., H.M. Queen Alexandria, H.M. The Queen of Norway, in addition, H.R.H. Princess Victoria.
Private Ricketts promoted Sergeant, 29 January 1919. To Newfoundland for Demobilization, 30 January 1919.
Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC arrived in Newfoundland, per SS CORSICAN 7 February 1919.
Return to Newfoundland
Ricketts treated for Tonsillitis on 25 February 1919. On 2 March 1919, Thomas attends a production at Drury Lane Theatre for Prisoners of War and men in Hospital.
Sergeant Thomas Ricketts VC discharged at Robinson Hill, St. John’s on 1 July 1919 (2 years, 303 days service), and Thomas planned to resume his studies at school.
On 19 May 1920, Captain J Hamilton directed by His Excellency the Governor to present to Thomas at the Government House, on Thursday 3 June, the monetary award so kindly given by Mr George William Bulley Ayre for the first living Newfoundlander to earn the Victoria Cross. In addition, several people contributed to an educational fund for Thomas, one of whom a relative of the author, a Miss Eileen Walshe.
Later Life
Thomas Ricketts returned to St. John’s and trained as a pharmacist. A monument stands today on Water Street (across from the Railway Coastal Museum), which was the site of his drugstore.
Opened in 1934, many people have fond memories of the pharmacy and the man who ran it. Ricketts known to many as the primary health-care provider for the west end of St. John’s.
Sergeant Thomas Rickets VC died 10 February 1967.
Legacy
A monument to Ricketts erected some years ago on the corner of Water and Job streets where he ran a drugstore after the war. In July 2007 the memorial remodeled and rededicated to Ricketts and his family.
A memorial to Ricketts close to where he performed the actions which would earn him a VC. The memorial situated at Sint-Eloois-Winkel, on the road towards Gullegem – Charles Lommens.
