Arnold Loosemore VC

Name: Arnold Loosemore

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: September 14, 1917

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Sharrow, Sheffield, Yorkshire/June 7, 1896

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Private (Sergeant)

Date of bravery: August 11, 1917

London Gazette citation:

No. 15805 Pte. Arnold Loosemore, W. Rid. R. (Sheffield)

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the attack on a strongly-held enemy position.

His platoon having been checked by heavy machine gun fire, he crawled through partially cut wire, dragging his Lewis gun with him, and single-handed dealt with a strong party of the enemy, killing about twenty of them, and thus covering the consolidation of the position taken up by his platoon.

Immediately afterwards his Lewis gun was blown up by a bomb, and three enemy rushed for him, but he shot them all with his revolver.

Later, he shot several enemy snipers, exposing himself to heavy fire each time.

On returning to the original post he also brought back a wounded comrade under heavy fire at the risk of his life. He displayed throughout an utter disregard of danger.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: DCM

Place/date of death: Sheffield, Yorkshire/April 10, 1924

Grave/memorials: Headstone, Ecclesall Church, Sheffield; memorial tablet, St. Andrew’s Church, Sharrow, Sheffield; Loosemore Drive, Sheffield

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Noonans, 2023

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum