John Spencer Dunville VC | |
|---|---|
Image by courtesy of Christopher Dunville .jpg) | |
| Born | 7 May 1896 Marylebone, England |
| Died | 26 June 1917 (aged 21) Villers-Faucon, France |
| Buried | Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1917 † |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons 1st (Royal) Dragoons |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
John Spencer Dunville, VC (7 May 1896 – 26 June 1917) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early life and education
Dunville was born on 7 May 1896 in Marylebone, London, to Colonel John Dunville Dunville and Violet Anne Blanch Dunville (née Lambart). His father was from Holywood, County Down and was chairman of Dunville & Co whisky distillers.[1] Dunville was educated at Ludgrove School and Eton College, and was a member of the Officers' Training Corps from May 1912 to July 1914. He passed matriculation for Trinity College, Cambridge, but with the outbreak of the First World War joined the army instead.[2]
Victoria Cross
He was aged 21 and a second lieutenant in the 1st (Royal) Dragoons, British Army during the First World War when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 25 June 1917 near Épehy, France.
For most conspicuous bravery. When in charge of a party consisting of scouts and Royal Engineers engaged in the demolition of the enemy's wire, this officer displayed great gallantry and disregard of all personal danger. In order to ensure the absolute success of the work entrusted to him, 2nd Lt. Dunville placed himself between an N.C.O. of the Royal Engineers and the enemy's fire, and, thus protected, this N.C.O. was enabled to complete a work of great importance. 2nd Lt. Dunville, although severely wounded, continued to direct his men in the wire-cutting and general operations until the raid was successfully completed, thereby setting a magnificent example of courage, determination and devotion to duty, to all ranks under his command. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds.
— London Gazette, No. 30215, 31 July 1917[3]
Second Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville died of wounds on 26 June 1917, the day after performing the deed, and is interred at the Villiers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, (Plot No. A21).[4]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Household Cavalry Museum in Horse Guards in London.
References
- ^ John Dunville Dunville CBE DL (1866–1929): Obituary
- ^ "John Spencer Dunville VC (1896–1917)". Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ "No. 30215". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 July 1917. p. 7906.
- ^ Dunville, John Spencer, Commonwealth War Graves Commission