Maurice Dease facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maurice Dease
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| Born | 28 September 1889 Coole, County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Died | 23 August 1914 (aged 24) Nimy, Belgium |
| Buried |
St Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1910 - 1914 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | The Royal Fusiliers |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Maurice James Dease was an Irish soldier who showed incredible bravery. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in the British and Commonwealth forces. He was one of the first British officers to die in World War I. He was also the first officer to receive the Victoria Cross after his death.
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Early Life and Military Training
Maurice Dease was born on September 28, 1889, in Gaulstown, Coole, County Westmeath, Ireland. He went to school at Stonyhurst College and Wimbledon College. After that, he trained to become an officer at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. By 1914, he was a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers. He was 24 years old when he performed the actions that earned him the Victoria Cross.
Bravery at Nimy Bridge
On August 23, 1914, Lieutenant Dease was defending the Nimy railway bridge in Mons, Belgium. His unit was part of the first major battle for British forces in World War I, known as the Battle of Mons. Dease was in charge of a machine-gun section. The enemy's gunfire was very heavy, and many soldiers were getting hurt.
Even though he was wounded several times, Lieutenant Dease kept firing his machine gun. He continued to fight until he was hit for the fifth time. He was then carried away from the battle. He later died from his injuries. The official report said he kept fighting even after being badly wounded. He controlled his machine guns until all his men were shot.
Maurice Dease received the first Victoria Cross awarded in the Great War (World War I). He earned it on the very first day of the first big battle for the British Army in that war.
A Fellow Hero: Private Sidney Godley
After Lieutenant Dease was badly wounded, a soldier named Private Sidney Godley stepped forward. He offered to defend the railway bridge so the rest of the soldiers could retreat safely. Private Godley also received the Victoria Cross for his bravery. He was later taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans.
A historian named H. C. O'Neill wrote about Dease's actions. He explained that the machine gun positions were very dangerous. When a soldier was hit, another had to take their place. Lieutenant Dease repeatedly went to check on his machine guns, even though it meant crossing open ground under heavy fire. This showed incredible courage. He was badly wounded but insisted on staying to fight as long as possible.
Remembering a Hero
Maurice Dease is buried at St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Belgium. This cemetery is about 2 kilometers east of Mons.
There are many ways Maurice Dease is remembered:
- A plaque is placed under the Nimy Railway Bridge in Mons.
- His name is honored in Westminster Cathedral in London.
- A cross at the Catholic priory in Woodchester, England, also remembers him.
- He is commemorated on a cross in Exton, Rutland.
- A plaque in St Martin's Church in Culmullen, Ireland, also bears his name.
His Victoria Cross medal is on display at the Royal Fusiliers Museum in the Tower of London. On August 23, 2014, a special paving stone was unveiled in his honor at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Ireland. This was part of a project to honor all Victoria Cross holders.
Maurice Dease was also shown in the BBC Three TV series Our World War in 2014. Actor Dominic Thorburn played his role.
