Ernest Sykes V.C.

[Tra La La]

Please could fellow users of Rootschat Yorkshire help.  Yorkshiremen Ernest Sykes V.C was awarded the Victoria Cross for a series of heroic deeds near Arras, on Easter Monday the 9th of April 1917, BUT the vast majority of records/books/websites list his heroic deeds as occuring on the 19th of April 1917, when infact the 27th battalion was "at rest."
I am contacting websites to inform them where their information is wrong, but could do with some assistance.  If you come across a Victoria Cross website that lists his deed as the 19th, please would you send me the link to that particular website - there are plenty of them! Of course they cannot be made to change their records, but the evidence is solid.  Your assistance would be  greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
TraLaLa

[barryd]

Looking at some sites I can see the discrepancy. On 9th April 1917 four Divisions of the Canadian Corps captured the 60 metre high Vimy Ridge. In a supporting role Ernest was in the vicinity that day.

[lizbet t]

You have the opportunity to help with the information about Ernest posted at Lives of the First World War. So far only seed information and one external link has been attached to his Life. My on line colleague Trevor created the V.C. community but could use some help with individual records. I'm following along with the Canadian V.C.'s and would be glad of help as well .
Here is Eric's "life" to date.... you need only sign in to contribute.
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/4341321

[Tra La La]

Hello there,
What level of detail do you require?
Tra La La

[lizbet t]

Thank you for your interest.... Anything you feel adds to the Life , for example copying and pasting the citation as a story with date of the citation will add it to the time line. A photo , a personal recollection whatever you would like to share.

Just as an example here is how I have chosen to add to the story of a Canadian V.C. recipient.
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/5934518

Naturally I hope that eventually a more personal remembrance might also be contributed.

Liz

[Flattybasher9]

I see his medals have been sold twice, the seccond time being May this year. I wonder who has them now?

Regards

Malky

[Tra La La]

I would like to think his campaign medals were bought by the regimental museum, to sit alongside his VC at Alnwick Castle.

Many thanks for the guidance. 
There is a super photograph of him on the Tameside Council website, showing him on his return to Mossley Railway station with his wife and two oldest children.  The 'Mayor and Corporation' are in the photo.  What struck me was the look in his eyes.

Spread the word to get his records corrected - "it was Easter Monday, the 9th of April, and it was snowing...."
Tra La La

[Geoff-E]

A photo of the steam locomotive bearing his name http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwrnsh346.htm

[Tra La La]

Many thanks for the link to the photograph.  Last year the 'sign' from the locomotive was on display at the August Bank Holiday Steam Fair at Blandford Forum.
If the opportunity arises, please challenge or correct the incorrect date of his heroic actions.  The correct date was Easter Monday, the 9th of April 1917, but so many websites and books claim that his bravery occurred on the 19th (when the batallion was away from the front).  The government have accepted the 9th as the correct date, but dialogue with TNA and various authors and publishers continues.
Many thanks for your assistance.
Tra La La