Alexander Roberts Dunn

Saved two fellow soldiers during the Light Brigade's charge.

Alexander Roberts Dunn was born on 15 September 1833 in York, Upper Canada, now Toronto. The son of Receiver-General John Henry Dunn, he attended Upper Canada College and Harrow School. In March 1852 he joined the British Army's 11th Hussars.

As a lieutenant during the Crimean War, Dunn took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on 25 October 1854. He defended Sergeant Bentley against Russian lancers attacking from behind and then cut down a Russian hussar threatening Private Levett. These actions earned him the Victoria Cross, making him the first Canadian recipient.

After returning to Toronto, Dunn helped raise the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment of Foot in 1858. He became its commanding officer in 1861 and transferred to the 33rd Regiment in 1864. During the Abyssinian expedition, he died on 25 January 1868 while hunting near Senafe, in present-day Eritrea, aged 34. He is buried there.

His grave was restored in 2001 by Canadian Forces engineers.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For having in the Light Cavalry charge on the 25th October, 1854, saved the life of Serjeant Bentley, 11th Hussars, by cutting down two or three Russian Lancers who were attacking him from the rear, and afterwards cutting down a Russian Hussar, who was attacking Private Levett, 11th Hussars.