Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
Lt. Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC.
British Army 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers
from:Victoria, Australia
(d.3rd Sep 1915)
Lieutenant Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC served with the 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 3rd September 1915, Age: 30. He is buried in the Voi Cemetery in Kenya. Also known as William Thomas Dartnell he was the son of Henry and Rose Ann Dartnell; Husband of Elizabeth Edith Dartnell (nee Smyth), of "Maktau," Phillips Avenue, Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. Born at Melbourne.
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 23rd Dec., 1915, records the following.- 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 enemys 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.
