Editing Ernest Sykes (VC) (section)

==VC action==
Sykes was 32 years old, and a [[private (rank)|private]] in the 27th (Service) Battalion (4th [[Tyneside Irish]]), [[Northumberland Fusiliers]], [[British Army]] during the [[World War I|First World War]] when the following deed took place on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917 <ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30122/supplement/5705 London Gazette Supplement issue 30122, 8 June 1917 page 5705]</ref> near [[Arras, France|Arras]], [[France]], for which he was awarded the VC. His battalion in attack was held up by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded. He then made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those too badly injured to be moved.

His VC citation reads: 
{{blockquote|No. 40989 Pte. Ernest Sykes, North'd Fus.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his battalion in attack was held up about 350 yards in advance of our lines by intense fire from front and flank, and suffered heavy casualties. Pte. Sykes, despite this heavy fire, went forward and brought back four wounded—he made a fifth journey and remained out under conditions which appeared to be certain death, until he had bandaged all those who were too badly wounded to be moved. These gallant actions, performed under incessant machine gun and rifle fire, showed an utter contempt of danger.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30122 |date=8 June 1917 |pages=5705–5706  |supp=y }}</ref>}}

During the Second World War Sykes returned to serve with the 25th Battalion West Riding Home Guard.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the [[Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland]], Alnwick, Northumberland, England.