George Thomas Dorrell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7 July 1880 Paddington, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 7 January 1971 (aged 90) Cobham, Surrey, England |
| Buried | Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British ArmyTerritorial Army Home Guard |
| Service years | 1895–1926, 1941–1945 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | Royal Horse Artillery Royal Artillery Home Guard |
| Conflicts | Second Boer War World War I World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Lieutenant-Colonel George Thomas Dorrell, VC, MBE (7 July 1880 – 7 January 1971) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Military career
Joining the British Army at the age of 15, Dorrell served in the Second Boer War.
He was 34 years old, and a Battery Sergeant Major in 'L' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, British Army during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
Involvement in the Action at Néry
On 1 September 1914, at Néry, France, during a fierce attack by the enemy, all the officers of 'L' Battery were either killed or wounded, including the officer (Edward Kinder Bradbury) in command, who, although having had one leg taken off by a shell, continued to direct the firing until he died. Battery Sergeant-Major Dorrell then took over command with the support of a sergeant (David Nelson) and continued to fire one of the guns until all the ammunition was expended.[1]
Later career
As well as receiving the VC, Dorrell was commissioned as an officer. He returned to the Western Front in January 1916 as a Captain and officer commanding A Battery, 119th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, in 38th (Welsh) Division. In early 1916 he regularly acted as commander of 119th Bde. In May 1916 his battery transferred to 122nd Bde.[2][3]
As brevet lieutenant colonel, Dorrell served as a company commander in the Home Guard during World War II.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London.
References
- ^ "No. 28976". The London Gazette. 13 November 1914. p. 9374.
- ^ 119th Brigade War Diary, December 1915–February 1917, The National Archives, Kew, file WO 95/2546/1.
- ^ 38th Divisional Artillery War Diary 1 December 1915–31 August 1916, TNA file WO 2542/1.
Bibliography
- Gliddon, Gerald (2011) [1994]. 1914. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0752459080.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)
- The Néry Gun and Medals at Imperial War Museum Victoria Cross and George Cross Gallery
- Per Finsted, The Affair at Néry, 1 September 1914, with map and illustrations
- George Thomas Dorrell on Lives of the First World War
