Percy Dean

Lieutenant-Commander Percy Thompson Dean VC (20 July 1877 – 20 March 1939)[1] 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, and also a politician.

Percy Thompson Dean
Group of Naval VC winners at Wellington Barracks hosted by King George V. Percy Dean on left
Born20 July 1877
Blackburn, Lancashire
Died20 March 1939
London, England
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
RankLieutenant-Commander
Battles/warsWorld War I
Awards Victoria Cross
Other workMember of Parliament

Victoria Cross

Dean was 40 years old and a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 and 23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, after Intrepid and Iphigenia had been scuttled, their crews were taken off by Motor Launch 282 commanded by Lieutenant Dean. He embarked more than 100 officers and men under constant and deadly fire from heavy and machine-guns at point blank range. This complete, he was about to clear the canal when the steering gear broke down, so he manoeuvred on his engines and was actually clear of the entrance to the harbour when he was told there was an officer in the water. He immediately turned back and rescued him.[2]

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.

Post-war

After the war, he was elected at the 1918 general election as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Blackburn, serving until the 1922 general election. He was chairman of the Moelferna and Dee Side Slate and Slab Quarries Company in Wales between the wars.[3]

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

References

  1. Percy Thompson Dean on Lives of the First World War
  2. "No. 30807". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 July 1918. p. 8586.
  3. Annual Register. J. Dodsley. 1940.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Philip Snowden
Sir Henry Norman
Member of Parliament for Blackburn
19181922
With: Sir Henry Norman
Succeeded by
Sir Henry Norman and
Sydney Henn
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