Dartnell, William Thomas (Wilbur Taylor)

Victoria Cross: 1914-1918

Date of birth:: April 6th, 1885 (Collingwood/Victoria, Australia)
Date of death:: September 3rd, 1915 (Maktau, British East Africa)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Voi
Plot: V. Row: B. Grave: 1.
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

William Thomas Dartnell served in the Second Boer War before moving to South Africa, where he worked as an actor and journalist. When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the 25th (Frontiersmen) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, a British Army unit composed of adventurers and veterans.

On 3 September 1915, during the East African Campaign near Maktau (in modern Kenya), Dartnell’s unit was ambushed by German colonial forces. As the wounded were being evacuated, Dartnell voluntarily remained behind to cover their retreat. Armed with a rifle and revolver, he held off the enemy until he was killed. His actions saved the lives of several comrades.

For his extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, Dartnell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His VC is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

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Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Temporary Lieutenant
Unit:: 25th (Service) Battalion (Frontiersmen), The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), East African Expeditionary Force (EAEF), British Army
Awarded on:: December 23rd, 1915

"For most conspicuous bravery near Maktau (East Africa) on 3rd September, 1915.

During a mounted infantry engagement the enemy got within a few yards of our men, and it was found impossible to get the more severely wounded away. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was himself being carried away wounded in the leg, seeing the situation, and knowing that the enemy's black troops murdered the wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hopes of being able to save the lives of the other wounded men.

He gave his own life in the gallant attempt to save others."