John Dunville
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[edit] John Spencer Dunville
John Spencer Dunville (7 May 1896-26 June 1917) was born in Marylebone, London, the son of Col. John Dunville Dunville and Violet Anne Blanch Dunville (nee Lambart), and was by birth an English UK recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 21 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Royal Dragoons, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 24 June/25 June 1917 near Epehy, France, in order to ensure the absolute success of the demolition of the enemy's wire, Second Lieutenant Dunville placed himself between an NCO of the Royal Engineers and the enemy's fire and, thus protected, the NCO was enabled to complete a work of great importance. Second Lieutenant Dunville, although severely wounded, continued to direct his men in the wire cutting and general operations until the raid was successfully completed. He subsequently died of his wounds.
Second Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville is interred at the Villiers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, Plot No. A21
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the The Household Cavalry Museum, Windsor, Berkshire.
[edit] References
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
