John Dunville
British military officer (1896–1917); recipient of the Victoria Cross
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.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
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
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.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:18 UTC