Bertram Best-Dunkley

He rallied his battalion under fire and led a brave assault.

Bertram Best-Dunkley was born in York on 3 August 1890. Educated in Germany, he entered the Lancashire Fusiliers as a second lieutenant in 1907 and became a lieutenant in 1909. Before the First World War he worked as a schoolteacher, including at Tientsin Grammar School in China.

When war began, he returned to Britain by travelling across Siberia and through northern Europe. He rejoined his regiment in September 1914 and went to France in July 1915. After service with the 2nd Battalion and attachment to the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, he joined the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. He served as adjutant, fought on the Somme in 1916, and took command of the battalion that October. He was mentioned in despatches for his wartime service.

Best-Dunkley married Marjorie Kate Pettigrew in 1916. Their son was born in July 1917, shortly before the action in which his father was mortally wounded.

On 31 July 1917, near Wieltje during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, his battalion's leading troops encountered close-range fire from enemy positions believed already captured. Best-Dunkley went forward, rallied the disorganised men, and personally led attacks that took the positions and secured their objectives. When a German counterattack threatened later that day, he gathered his battalion headquarters personnel and led them against the advancing enemy.

He died of his wounds at Proven, Belgium, on 5 August 1917, two days after his twenty-seventh birthday. He was buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Plot III, Row D, Grave 1. His posthumous Victoria Cross recognised the leadership that sustained his battalion through both its advance and the later defence. His widow could not attend a royal presentation, so Colonel Padley presented the decoration at Barrow-in-Furness on 27 October 1917, pinning it to their infant son's shawl.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in Command of his Battalion, the leading waves of which, during an attack, became disorganised by reason of rifle and machine gun fire at close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands.

Lieutenant-Colonel Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his leading waves, and personally led them to the assault of these positions, which, despite heavy losses, were carried. He continued to lead his Battalion until all their objectives had been gained. Had it not been for this Officer's gallant and determined action it is doubtful if the left of the brigade would have reached its objectives.

Later in the day, when our position was threatened, he collected his Battalion Headquarters, led them to the attack, and beat off the advancing enemy. This gallant Officer has since died of wounds.

London Gazette, supplement 6 September 1917, p.9260.