Wounded during the Battle of Messines when he destroyed two machine gun posts, an action that earned him the VC, he received medical treatment in England.

Following the death of his father, he immigrated to New Zealand in 1913, with his mother and several of her children, to join an older brother who was living in Blackball on the West Coast.

After arriving in Egypt in June, he became ill with tuberculosis, was repatriated to New Zealand and subsequently discharged from the NZEF as medically unfit for active service.

Initially a rifleman (equivalent to a private), later that year he was posted to France to join the 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade.

His battalion, covered by artillery fire, was attacking the edge of the village of Messines, now known as Mesen, when it was slowed by two machine gun posts.

With the barrage of artillery concealing their approach, he threw a grenade that destroyed one machine gun and rushed forward with a bayonet to deal with the survivors of its crew.

[3] Frickleton was awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions in dealing with the machine gun posts in Messines.

[4] The citation for Frickleton's award read as follows: For most conspicuous bravery and determination when with attacking troops, which came under heavy fire and were checked.

Although slightly wounded, Lance Corporal Frickleton dashed forward at the head of his section, rushed through a barrage and personally destroyed with bombs an enemy machine gun and crew, which were causing heavy casualties.

By the destruction of these two guns he undoubtedly saved his own and other units from very severe casualties and his magnificent courage and gallantry ensured the capture of the objective.

He set, throughout, a great example of heroism.Evacuated to England for medical treatment, Frickleton's wounds would affect his health for the remainder of his life.

He was promoted to acting lieutenant and served as assistant provost marshal for the Wellington Military District for several months until June 1919.

[1] On the outbreak of the Second World War, Frickleton was unsuccessful in his attempt to enlist in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force being raised for overseas service.

On 16 February 2008, New Zealand Police announced all the medals had been recovered as a result of a NZ$300,000 reward offered by Michael Ashcroft and Tom Sturgess.