Actions Gallery

Corporate J. L. Dawson VC

Corporal James Lennox Dawson VC of the Royal Engineers (1891-1967) pictured performing the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross in October 1915. His citation reads: On 13 October 1915 at Hohenzollern Redoubt, France, during a gas attack, when the trenches were full of men, Corporal Dawson exposed himself fearlessly to the enemy's fire in order to give directions to his sappers and to clear the infantry out of sections of the trench which were full of gas. Finding three leaking cylinders, he rolled them well away from the trench, again under heavy fire, and then fired rifle bullets into them to let the gas escape. His gallantry undoubtedly saved many men from being gassed. Date: 1915

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Royal Horse Artillery in Great War Deeds, WW1

Sergeant-Major Dorrell and Sergeant Nelson of the Royal Horse Artillery, remaining alone to work the last gun of L Battery during the retreat from Mons, for which they won the Victoria Cross and commissions. Reproduction of a painting by S Begg in Great War Deeds, a special panorama supplement produced by the Illustrated London News in 1915, featuring heroic actions of the First World War. Date: 1914

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Wall Plaque to Canadian 1st Parachute Bn, Normandy

This is on the wall of house No.3 rue de l'Eglise, behind the church and the local War memorial, in Bricqueville/Robehomme. It was put up in June 1997 by Canadian veterans and summarises the actions from the destruction of the Robehomme bridge to the later linking up at le Mesnil with those who had been scattered in the drop. Le Mesnil was the rendevous point for the Canadians and other elements of 3rd Parachute Brigade. Date: 2009

© Holts Battlefield Collection /