George Thomas Dorrell

George Thomas Dorrell
Born	7 July 1880 Paddington, Middlesex, England
Died	7 January 1971 (aged 90) Cobham, Surrey, England
Buried	Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army Territorial Army Home Guard
Years of service	1895–1926, 1941–45
Rank	Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit	Royal Horse Artillery Royal Artillery Home Guard
Battles / wars	Second Boer War World War I World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Member of the Order of the British Empire

Lieutenant-Colonel George Thomas Dorrell, VC, MBE (7 July 1880 – 7 January 1971) 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.

Military career

Joining the British Army at the age of 15, Dorrell served in the Second Boer War.

He was 34 years old, and a Battery Sergeant Major in the 'L' Bty., Royal Horse Artillery, British Army during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

Involvement in the Action at Néry

Main article: Action at Néry

The Nery gun

On 1 September 1914, at Néry, France, during a fierce attack by the enemy, all the officers of 'L' Battery were either killed or wounded, including the officer (Edward Kinder Bradbury) in command, who, although having had one leg taken off by a shell, continued to direct the firing until he died. Battery Sergeant-Major Dorrell then took over command with the support of a sergeant (David Nelson) and continued to fire one of the guns until all the ammunition was expended.

As brevet lieutenant colonel, Dorrell served as a company commander in the Home Guard during World War II.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Bibliography

• Gliddon, Gerald (2011) [1994]. 1914. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0752459080.

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)
• The Néry Gun and Medals at Imperial War Museum Victoria Cross and George Cross Gallery
• Per Finsted, The Affair at Néry, 1 September 1914, with map and illustrations
• George Thomas Dorrell on Lives of the First World War