Bertram, BEST- Dunkley
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 2nd/ 5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 357 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding 2nd/ 5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers all Lancashire Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 July 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th September 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 3rd August 1890 at York
- Died
- 5th April 1917 near Ypres, Belgium. (Died on of wounds)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Mendinghem, Belgium
Digest of citation
On 31st July 1917 at Wieltje, Belgium, when the leading waves of the attack had become disorganised by a rifle and machine-gun fire at very close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands, Lieutenant Colonel Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his men 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 and been gained. 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. He later Died on of his wounds
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DUNKLEY, Bertram, BEST-. (reg No. 357).
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding 2nd/ 5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 6th September 1917.
Born on 3rd August 1890 at York.
Died on 5th April 1917 near Ypres, Belgium. (Died on of wounds).
Memorial at Mendinghem, Belgium.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st July 1917 at Wieltje, Belgium, when the leading waves of the attack had become disorganised by a rifle and machine-gun fire at very close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands, Lieutenant Colonel Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his men 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 and been gained. 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. He later Died on of his wounds.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Mendinghem, Belgium
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Bertram, BEST- Dunkley by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.