Personal info
- Name: Arthur POULTER
- D.O.B: 16th Dec, 1893
- D.O.A: 10th Apr, 1918
- D.O.D: 29th Aug, 1956
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 1/4th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) (TF), 147th Brigade, 49th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Erquinghem-Lys, France 10 April 1918
10 April 1918
The First World War 1918
As the British pulled out of Armentières on 10 April 1918, the 1/4th West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s) covered the withdrawal while being driven towards Erquinghem, about a mile to the west of Armentières on the south bank of the Lys. They suffered heavy casualties before themselves withdrawing south across the river. Private A Poulter, one of their stretcher-bearers, particularly distinguished himself by his gallantry in this action, before being shot through the head. Despite this injury, he survived.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery when acting as a stretcher-bearer. On ten occasions Pte. Poulter carried badly wounded men on his back to a safer locality, through a particularly heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage. Two of these were hit a second time whilst on his back. Again, after a withdrawal over the river had been ordered, Pte. Poulter returned in full view of the enemy who were advancing, and carried back another man who had been left behind wounded. He bandaged up forty men under fire, and his conduct throughout the whole day was a magnificent example to all ranks. This very gallant soldier was subsequently seriously wounded when attempting another rescue in the face of the enemy.
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