The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Lieutenant D J Dean

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Lieutenant Donald John Dean, 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

Served as a Private with the 28th London (Artists Rifles) in the Ypres Salient and during the Battle of the Somme.

4th October 1916, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Royal West Kent Regiment and fought at Vimy Ridge and around Givenchy.

4th April 1918, appointed Temporary Lieutenant with the Royal West Kent Regiment.

AWARDS: Victoria Cross.

London Gazette 21st November 1916.

The under mentioned Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men to be temporary Second Lieutenants (on probation) with effect from dates shown:

Royal West Kent Regiment. - Pte. D. J. Dean, from London Regiment Territorial Force - 4th October 1916.

London Gazette 24th June 1918.

The under mentioned temporary 2nd Lieutenants (attached), unless otherwise stated, are transferred to Service Battalion, with seniority as shown against their names:

Royal West Kent Regiment. - D. J. Dean. 4th October 1916.

London Gazette 30th October 1918.

Royal West Kent Regiment. - Temporary 2nd Lieutenant D J Dean to be temporary Lieutenant. 4th April 1918.

VICTORIA CROSS

The Lens Front - September 19th 1918 - Returning a week later the 8th became involved in a series of sharp actions memorable in the battalions story, for the Germans were anxious to delay the Allied advance at this point. The first episode was the recapture of a post at the junction of Claud and Canary trenches which had changed hands several times already. Then on the night of September 23rd / 24th the Germans attempted to retake it but were promptly counter attacked and driven off by Lieutenant Trenchard Davis, who led two sections across the open, covered by a rifle grenade barrage. Next evening half of No. 16 Platoon of D Company under 2nd Lieutenant D J Dean, formerly of the 11th Battalion, took over the advanced post in Canary Trench. Hardly was the relief complete before the enemy attacked from the NE but were beaten off. 2nd Lieutenant Dean promptly repaired and improved his defences and though attacked again held his own. Then about 6 a.m. a heavy barrage was put down, completely isolating the post. But its defenders, though heavily trench mortared, never wavered, and when the enemy simultaneously attacked down the continuation of Canary trench and across the open they were again repulsed. After that the day passed quietly, though the garrison was far from idle, any amount of work being done to strengthen the post; and that night the rest of No 16 relived the garrison, though 2nd Lieutenant Dean insisted upon remaining in charge. September 26th 1918 - Early next morning came another attack, rather half hearted, which the defenders rifle fire stopped easily enough, but it was followed by an intense bombardment which forced the remnants of the garrison back some fifty yards and then at last the Germans could rush the post. Their triumph was not for long; 2nd Lieutenant Dean, rallied his men and headed a counter attack across the open; and at the same time 2nd Lieutenant Cambrook, whose platoon was in Cinnabar trench on the right side of "Deans Post", displayed marked promptness and initiative and by a dashing attack across the open threatened to take the Germans in flank and cut them off. Sergeant Alderman gave him splendid help and the stroke proved most effective. The double attack dislodged the enemy, who bolted, many being shot as they fled. The Germans did not try another attack; they had been too heavily punished and the equipment which they left about the post would have fitted out a platoon. 2nd Lieutenant Dean who had set a splendid example of courage and leadership and had handled his command with remarkable skill and judgement, inspiring his men with his own daring and contempt for danger was fittingly rewarded by the much coveted Victoria Cross, Sergeant Skinner, his platoon Sergeant, who had backed him splendidly received the DCM and MMs were given to Sergeant Alderman, Corporals Eversfield and Goodwin and Private Yates.

The Great War Illustrated 25th January 1919

Lieutenant Donald John DEAN, VC, 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, set a superb example of valour, leadership, and devotion to duty while holding an advance post established in a newly captured trench northwest of Lens from September 24th to 26th. Five times, in all three times heavily the post was attacked but by supreme gallantry and devotion it was consolidated and invincibly defended.

Picture taken and provided by Tony Grant

Tunstall, near Sittingbourne, Kent.

After the War, Dean returned to his family brickmaking business. In the Second World War, as officer Commanding No5 Group Auxiliary Pioneer Corps, which took part in the defence of Boulogne, he was blown up and wrongly reported dead.

This page was last updated on 02-Mar-2015.