John Dimmer

Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Stephen Dimmer VC MC (9 October 1883 – 21 March 1918) 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.

For the former Australian rules football coach and player, see John Dimmer (coach).
John Henry Stephen Dimmer
Born9 October 1883
Lambeth, Surrey, England
Died21 March 1918 (aged 34)
Marteville, France
Buried
Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1902 - 1918
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitKing's Royal Rifle Corps
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsVictoria Cross
Military Cross
Mentioned in despatches[1]

Born on 9 October 1883, Dimmer was educated at Rutlish School, Merton Park, south London. Aged 31, married[2] and a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 12 November 1914 at Klein Zillebeke, Belgium.

Citation

This Officer served his machine gun during the attack on the 12 November at Klein Zillebeke until he had been shot five times - three times by shrapnel and twice by bullets, and continued at his post until his gun was destroyed

— The London Gazette, 19 November 1914[3]

Dimmer later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was killed in action at Marteville, France on 21 March 1918. His body was missing until 1920, when it was buried at Vadencourt British Cemetery in Maissemy.[1][2]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.

Marriage

On 19 January 1918, Dimmer married Gladys Dora May Parker in the Moseley Parish Church. The couple had no children. After Dimmer's death, his wife re-married to Leopold Canning, a Royal Flying Corps Lieutenant and future president of the British Fascisti.[1]

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References
  1. Peter Old Field: Victoria Crosses on the Western Front August 1914- April 1915: Mons to Hill 60, Pen and Sword, 2014, p. 191
  2. Dimmer, John Henry Stephen, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  3. "No. 28980". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 November 1914. p. 9513.
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