Alfred Wilcox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Wilcox
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| Born | 16 December 1884 Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Died | 30 March 1954 (aged 69) Birmingham |
| Buried |
St Peter and St Paul Churchyard, Aston
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1905 - 1909, 1915 - 1918 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | Royal Warwickshire Regiment Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Alfred Wilcox was a very brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC). This is the highest and most important award for bravery. It is given to soldiers who show amazing courage against the enemy. This award can be given to forces from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.
For many years, no one knew exactly where Alfred Wilcox was buried. This made him the only Victoria Cross winner whose exact resting place was unknown until 2006.
A Hero in World War I
Alfred Wilcox was 33 years old during the First World War. He was a lance-corporal in the 2/4th Battalion of The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. This was a part of the British Army. He earned his Victoria Cross for an incredible act of bravery.
His Amazing Bravery
On September 12, 1918, near Laventie, France, Alfred Wilcox showed incredible courage. His company was stopped by heavy enemy machine-gun fire. The guns were very close, making it dangerous to move forward.
Lance-Corporal Wilcox quickly rushed towards the closest enemy gun. He threw bombs at it and killed the enemy gunner. After this, an enemy group attacked him with bombs. But Wilcox didn't give up! He picked up the enemy's own bombs. Then, he led his company towards the next enemy gun. He captured and destroyed it.
By this point, he was left with only one other soldier. Even with just one helper, he kept throwing bombs. He managed to capture a third enemy gun. He then moved along the trench, throwing bombs as he went. He captured a fourth enemy gun! After all this, he returned to his group, called his platoon.
Finding His Resting Place
Alfred Wilcox passed away on March 30, 1954. In 2006, his nephew, John Wilcox, helped find his grave. John had attended his uncle's funeral in 1954. He worked with a historian named Chris Sutton to find the grave in Aston Church.
On September 12, 2006, a special service was held. A memorial was also unveiled. This was exactly 88 years after his brave actions where he captured the enemy guns.
Remembering His Legacy
Alfred Wilcox's name is also honored in Oxford, England. On August 16, 2019, a new student accommodation building was opened. It is located on James Wolfe Road, at the site of the old Cowley Barracks. His name is proudly displayed on the front of a special stone monument there.
