 Private Robert Cruickshank circa 1915 | |
| Born | 17 June 1888 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | 30 August 1961 (aged 73) Blaby, Leicestershire, England |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | London Scottish (WWI) Home Guard (WWII) |
| Battles / wars | First World War *Battle of the Somme Second World War (Home Guard) |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Major Robert Edward Cruickshank VC (17 June 1888 – 30 August 1961) was a Canadian-born British recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for combat gallantry of the British and Commonwealth forces.
Cruickshank was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1888, the first of 5 children. He moved to England with his family when he was 3 where he moved frequently.
In the First World War he initially volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps, but transferred to the London Scottish. After being injured in the Battle of the Somme he was returned home to recuperate before transferring to Egypt. While in Egypt, on 1 May 1918, he volunteered to carry a message along the front line where he was hit several times by a sniper. For his continued attempts at climbing the slopes of a wadi whilst wounded and under sniper fire, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After the war he returned to business work before moving to Southend. After serving in the Home Guard as a Major in the Second World War, he served on several local organisations and committees before dying in Leicestershire in 1961. His medal was donated to his regimental museum.