World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award from British King George V on July 21, 1917 at Buckingham Palace in London, England for his actions as a private in the 27th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, of the British Army on April 9, 1917 near Arras, France during the Second Battle of Arras in World War I. Born in Mossley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he worked for the railways. Following the outbreak of World War I in July 1914, he enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment in 1915 and served at Gallipoli, Turkey where he was seriously wounded and evacuated back to England for recovery. He then joined the 27th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers and was sent to the Western Front in France and saw action in several engagements, including the Second Battle of Arras for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. In May 1918 he was discharged from military duty due to illness and resumed his railway job. During World War II he served in the West Riding Home Guard. He died at his home in Mossley at the age of 64. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "Near Arras, France, 9 April 1917, Private Ernest Sykes, 27th ( S ) Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty ( near Arras, France ) 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. Private 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." In addition to the Victoria Cross, he also received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal (1914-1920), the Victory Medal (1914-1919 with Mentioned in Despatches clasp) and the King George VI Coronation Medal. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Northumberland Fusiliers Museum in the Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England. He is also commemorated on a Blue Plaque at the George Lawton Hall and the railway station in his home town.