Maurice James Dease
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Maurice James Dease (28 September 1889- 23 August 1914) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and the most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. In the history of warfare, the name of Maurice James Dease will always occupy a unique position.
He won the first Victoria Cross to be awarded in the Great War, 1914-1918, and he also won it on the first day of the first British encounter in that war.
Dease was educated at Stonyhurst College before attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
He was 24 years old, and a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 August 1914, at Mons, Belgium, Nimy Bridge was being defended by a single company of Royal Fusiliers and a machine-gun section with Lieutenant Dease in command. The gun fire was intense, and the casualties very heavy, but the lieutenant went on firing in spite of his wounds, until he was hit for the fifth time and was carried away to a place of safety where he died, aged 24.
A private (Sidney Frank Godley) of the same battalion who had been assisting the lieutenant while he was still able to operate the guns, took over, and alone he used the gun to such good effect that he covered the retreat of his comrades.
[edit] Remarks
Memorials: St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium, plaque on Nimy Bridge, Mons and Westminster Cathedral.
His name is on the Wayside Cross in Woodchester Stroud, Gloucestershire.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Fusiliers Museum in the Tower of London.
[edit] References
Listed in order of publication year
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
- Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- "Elegant Extracts" - The Royal Fusiliers Recipients of the VC (J.P. Kelleher, 2001)
