b. 21/10/1877 Burnley, Lancashire. d. 13/11/1902 Charingworth, Gloucestershire.
Frederic Brooks Dugdale (1877-1902) was born on 21st October 1877 in Burnley, Lancashire, the third son of Colonel James Dugdale VD. Frederic was educated at Marlborough College, and then Christ Church, Oxford. He entered the Army in October 1899, being gazetted as a Second Lieutenant to the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers.
Frederic B Dugdale VC
He was immediately despatched from England to join his regiment, which on arrival in South Africa was taking part in the defence of Ladysmith. He served with the relieving force under Sir Redvers Buller VC, and was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1900. He then served under Sir John French in the Cape Colony. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal and King’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek and Belfast, Cape Colony. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 17th September 1901) for his actions on 3rd March 1901.
On 3rd March, 1901, Lieutenant Dugdale, who was in command of a small outpost near Derby, having been ordered to retire, his patrol came under a heavy fire at a range of about 250 yards, and a Sergeant, two men, and a horse were hit. Lieutenant Dugdale dismounted and placed one of the wounded men on his own horse; he then caught another horse, galloped up to a wounded man and took him up behind him, and brought both men safely out of action.
Dugdale was presented with his medal on 24th October 1902 in London by King Edward VII. Tragically, less than a month later on 13th November 1902, Dugdale was involved in a riding accident in the Cotswolds whilst hunting. His horse fell at a fence and landed on top of him, leaving him with severe crush injuries. Sadly, he died two hours later having not regained consciousness. He was buried in St James’ Churchyard, Longborough, Gloucestershire. His medals are held by the Queen’s Royal Lancers Museum, Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: QUEENS ROYAL LANCERS MUSEUM, THORESBY PARK, NOTTS.
BURIAL PLACE: LONGBOROUGH CHURCHYARD, LONGBOROUGH, GLOUCS.
Acknowledgements:
Paul Reed – Medal Group Image at Queens Royal Lancers Museum, Thoresby Park.
Steve Lee www.memorialstovalour.co.uk – Image of the Marlborough College Memorial.