The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

'Sans Peur'       Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders red and white dicing       'Ne Obliviscaris'

LIDDELL, John Aiden

3rd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Victoria Cross awarded 31 July 1915


The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.


The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross
"for valour"

Name LIDDELL, John Aiden
Rank Captain
Service 3rd Bn The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and Royal Flying Corps
Theatre where VC won La Panne, Flanders, Belgium, 31 July 1915
Recorded in London Gazzette 23 August 1915
Place & Date of Birth Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 3 August 1888
Place & Date of Death La Panne, Belgium, 31 August 1915
Burial Ground Basingstoke Old Cemetery, England
Current Location of VC Lord Ashcroft VC Collection

Scene of Action

On 31 July 1915, while flying reconnaissance over Ostend-Bruges-Ghent, Belgium, 26 years old Liddell was severely wounded in his right thigh. This caused momentary unconsciousness, but by great effort he recovered partial control of his machine when it had dropped nearly 3,000 feet and succeeded, although still being fired on, in completing the course, to bring the plane back into the Allied lines.

The control wheel and throttle control were smashed as was part of the under-carriage and cockpit, but the machine and the life of the observer were saved.

Liddell died of his wounds a month later at De Panne, Flanders, Belgium, on 31 August 1915, aged 27.


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