Donald John Dean
Lieutenant (later Colonel), 8th Battalion. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
- Register No.
- 318 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant (later Colonel) (register: Temp. Lieutenant) all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 8th Battalion. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (register: Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)) all Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 24–26 September 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- ; 14th December, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 19th April, 1897 at London
- Died
- 9th December 1985 at Sittingbourne, Kent
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
During the period 24th/26 per December 1918 north-west own Lens, France, Lieutenant Dean with his platoon held an advance post established in a newly captured enemy trench. The post was ill-prepared for Defence and the lieutenant worked unceasingly with his men consolidating the position, under very heavy fire. Five times in all the post was attacked and on each occasion the attack was repulsed. Throughout the whole of this time lieutenant Dean inspired his command with his own contempt for danger and set the highest example of valour, leadership and devotion to duty
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DEAN, Donald John. (reg No. 318).
Lieutenant (later Colonel) 8th Battalion. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment.
Gazetted; 14th December, 1918.
Born on 19th April, 1897 at London.
Died on 9th December 1985 at Sittingbourne, Kent.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: During the period 24th/26 per December 1918 north-west own Lens, France, Lieutenant Dean with his platoon held an advance post established in a newly captured enemy trench. The post was ill-prepared for Defence and the lieutenant worked unceasingly with his men consolidating the position, under very heavy fire. Five times in all the post was attacked and on each occasion the attack was repulsed. Throughout the whole of this time lieutenant Dean inspired his command with his own contempt for danger and set the highest example of valour, leadership and devotion to duty.
Additional information:. Colonel Dean also held the Order of the British Empire. (O B E). He was Commander, of the Royal Danish Order of the Dannebrog. He commanded No. 5 Group Auxiliary Pioneer Corps in France in 1940. He was the Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Kent.
Additional information
Colonel Dean also held the Order of the British Empire. (O B E). He was Commander, of the Royal Danish Order of the Dannebrog. He commanded No. 5 Group Auxiliary Pioneer Corps in France in 1940. He was the Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Kent.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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