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John Dunville

1896 – 1917

British military officer (1896–1917); recipient of the Victoria Cross

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About John Dunville

Lived 1896 – 1917 (aged 21). John Dunville was a British military personnel.

John Spencer Dunville, (7 May 1896 – 26 June 1917) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life and education Dunville was born on 7 May 1896 in Marylebone, London, to Colonel John Dunville Dunville and Violet Anne Blanch Dunville (née Lambart). His father was from Holywood, County Down and was chairman of Dunville & Co whisky distillers. Dunville was educated at Ludgrove School and Eton College, and was a member of the Officers' Training Corps from May 1912 to July 1914. He passed matriculation for Trinity College, Cambridge, but with the outbreak of the First World War joined the army instead.

Victoria Cross He was aged 21 and a second lieutenant in the 1st (Royal) Dragoons, British Army during the First World War when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 25 June 1917 near Épehy, France.

Second Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville died of wounds on 26 June 1917, the day after performing the deed, and is interred at the Villiers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, (Plot No. A21).

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Household Cavalry Museum in Horse Guards in London.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
Eton College, Ludgrove School
Awards
Victoria Cross
Also known as
John Spencer Dunville, 2nd Lt. John Spencer Dunville, V.C.

People in John Dunville's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Dunville's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Dunville?

British military officer (1896–1917); recipient of the Victoria Cross

When was John Dunville born?

John Dunville was born on 7 May 1896 in Marylebone.

When did John Dunville die?

John Dunville died on 26 June 1917 in Épehy.

What was John Dunville's occupation?

John Dunville was a military personnel.

What nationality was John Dunville?

John Dunville was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Dunville

· Wikidata: Q6230509

· DBpedia: John Dunville

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Dunville. https://biography.guide/john-dunville/

MLA: "John Dunville." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-dunville/.

Chicago: "John Dunville." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-dunville/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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