World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Lanark, Scotland, he served as a Private First Class in the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, British Army. On March 1, 1945, during an attack on Kervenheim, Germany, Private Stokes was a member of the leading section of a platoon pinned down by German fire from a farm building. Without waiting for orders he dashed through the enemy fire and went inside this building. The fire stopped and he reappeared, wounded in the neck. His action enabled the platoon to advance to the next objective. Private Stokes was ordered back to a Regimental Aid Post, but refused to go. The platoon again encountered heavy fire from another house and without waiting for orders, Private Stokes rushed the house and all firing from it ceased. He returned to his platoon, bringing five prisoners and continued the advance. In the final assault, he again dashed to the objective through intense fire, firing his rifle and was found that he had been fatally wounded eight times in the upper part of the body. For most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross presented to his widow and son James by H.M. King George VI in a post-war investiture at Buckingham Palace.j
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Lanark, Scotland, he served as a Private First Class in the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, British Army. On March 1, 1945, during an attack on Kervenheim, Germany, Private Stokes was a member of the leading section of a platoon pinned down by German fire from a farm building. Without waiting for orders he dashed through the enemy fire and went inside this building. The fire stopped and he reappeared, wounded in the neck. His action enabled the platoon to advance to the next objective. Private Stokes was ordered back to a Regimental Aid Post, but refused to go. The platoon again encountered heavy fire from another house and without waiting for orders, Private Stokes rushed the house and all firing from it ceased. He returned to his platoon, bringing five prisoners and continued the advance. In the final assault, he again dashed to the objective through intense fire, firing his rifle and was found that he had been fatally wounded eight times in the upper part of the body. For most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross presented to his widow and son James by H.M. King George VI in a post-war investiture at Buckingham Palace.j
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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