John Dunville

He shielded an engineer under fire while enemy wire was cut.

John Spencer Dunville was born in London on 7 May 1896 into an Irish family associated with the whiskey trade. Educated at Ludgrove and Eton, he joined the school's Officer Training Corps. He received a cavalry commission in September 1914 and reached France with the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons in June 1915.

During the Battle of Loos he helped cover the withdrawal of British guns. He transferred to the 1st (Royal) Dragoons in January 1916. Illness interrupted his service in 1916, but he returned to France that December.

On the night of 24-25 June 1917, Dunville led a party near Epehy accompanying Royal Engineers who were cutting gaps in the German wire. The work came under heavy fire. Realizing that the engineer non-commissioned officer was essential to completing the task, Dunville placed himself between the man and the enemy's fire.

Although seriously wounded, he remained in charge until the wire-cutting work was finished and the party could withdraw. His protection of the engineer allowed the operation to succeed. He was taken to a field ambulance but died on 26 June, aged twenty-one.

Dunville was buried at Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery. His Victoria Cross was announced posthumously, and George V presented it to his father on 29 August 1917. The award recognized the deliberate exposure that had protected another soldier and allowed the engineers to complete their dangerous work.

Official Victoria Cross citation

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.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 31 July 1917. 2 August 1917, Numb. 30215, p. 7906.