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Lt. Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC
British Army 25th Btn. Royal Fusiliers
from:Victoria, Australia
(d.3rd Sep 1915)
Wilbur Dartnell was born Melbourne, the son of Henry and Rose Ann Dartnell. He was the husband of Elizabeth Edith Dartnell (nee Smyth), of Maktau, Phillips Avenue, Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. He was killed in action 3rd September 1915, aged 30, and is buried in the Voi Cemetery in Kenya.
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 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."
