New exhibit tells the story of Tommy Ricketts, who enlisted at age 15

At just 15 years old, Tommy Ricketts enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment to fight in the First World War. On October 14, 1918, at great risk to his life, Ricketts ran across the battlefield, avoiding heavy German gunfire in order to retrieve ammunition, saving many of his comrades' lives. He received the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre for his bravery in battle. Upon his return to Newfoundland, he became a pharmacist. Brian Healy was Tommy Ricketts' last pharmacy apprentice. He had a commitment to his customers. You know, if they needed anything, he was there for them. Ricketts Pharmacy on Water Street was a first point of care for people who couldn't afford medical treatment. If they got a burn or they got a cough, they'd come over to Ricketts before they go to the hospital. Ricketts only discussed the details of the war with fellow soldiers. I remember him telling me one time, he said, this is the most terrible thing that mankind could ever do. He thought war should never happen. He was so much against war, you know, even the Korean War and all that. He said it solves nothing. All those men dead, for what? Healy is a participant in a new history initiative called the Tommy Ricketts Community Project, which collects stories from people who knew him. Our hope is to bring attention to Tommy Ricketts' story again, not just as a soldier, although this is a very important part of his story, but also his life before the war and after the war as a pharmacist. The next step of the project is to take the research to the public. We're making a pop-up exhibit that can come to different museums, libraries, and legions to get that story out, as well as developing school programming to get this education directly into schools. Tommy Ricketts died in 1967 and was given a state funeral. He's remembered as the most decorated member of the Newfoundland Regiment and as a pharmacist who served his community with compassion. John Harris, CBC News, St. John's.