Thomas Fasti Dinesen VC

Name: Thomas Fasti Dinesen

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: October 26, 1918

Service: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Place/date of birth: Copenhagen, Denmark/August 9, 1892

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Private (later Lieutenant)

Date of bravery: August 12, 1918

London Gazette citation:

No. 2075467 Pte. Thomas Dinesen, Quebec R.

For most conspicuous and continuous bravery displayed during ten hours of hand-to-hand fighting, which resulted in the capture of over a mile of strongly garrisoned and stubbornly defended enemy trenches.

Five times in succession he rushed forward alone, and single-handed put hostile machine guns out of action, accounting for twelve of the enemy with bomb and bayonet. His sustained valour and resourcefulness inspired his comrades at a very critical stage of the action, and were an example to all.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Leerbaek, Denmark/March 10, 1979

Grave/memorials: Horsholm Cemetery, Ringsted, Denmark

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2013

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum