Denis Dynon VC

b. 09/1822 Kilmannon, Ireland. d. 16/02/1863 Dublin, Ireland.

Denis Dynon (1822-1863) was born in Kilmannon, County Laois, Ireland in September 1822, and following a short spell as a labourer in his native Ireland, he first enlisted with the 44th Regiment of Foot (later Essex Regiment), before transferring to the 53rd Regiment of Foot (later King’s Shropshire Light Infantry) just prior to the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny.

Dynon VC Medal

On 2nd October 1857, at Chota Behar, the mutineers of the Ramgurh Battation were using two guns against the detachment, and causing a number of casualties with grape. At this point, Sergeant Dynon and Lieutenant Daunt charged the guns and captured them by pistoling the gunners.

Dynon and Daunt were recommended for the Victoria Cross, though their citation did not appear until nearly 5 years later, on 25th February 1862. By this time, Dynon was back in his native Ireland and in poor health. He was a patient at Kilmainham Hospital in Dublin, when the Master of the Hospital presented him with his medal on 2nd May 1862.

Dynon passed away sadly less than a year later, on 18th February 1863 in Dublin. Sadly, his burial location is not known. In July 1998, his Victoria Cross, without his campaign medals, was auctioned at Sotheby’s. It was purchased by the Michael Ashcroft Trust for £20,000 and is now part of the Ashcroft Collection in the Imperial War Museum.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: LORD ASHCROFT GALLERY, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, LONDON.

BURIAL PLACE: UNKNOWN.