Irishman awarded Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery at the front

London, 21 November 1914 - The King announced last week that he is to grant the Victoria Cross to nine men including Irishman Lieutenant Maurice James Dease of the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

On 23 August 1914, during the retreat from Mons, Lt Dease was in command of a detachment of machine guns which was protecting the crossing of Canal Bridge at Nimy. Despite being seriously injured, he and  Private Sidney Godley, stayed at their posts, facilitating their comrades' escape. Lt Dease later died of his wounds.

Lieutenant Maurice Dease was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross last week. (Image: Irish Life, 4 December 1914. Full collection of Irish Life available from the National Library of Ireland)

Lt Dease was born in 1889, the only son of Mr Edmund F. Dease, Culmullen, Co. Meath. He was educated in England and was the heir presumptive to his uncle, Major Dease, who also served in the Royal Fusiliers.

The London Gazette, who first made the announcement noted that the Victoria Crosses were granted 'for conspicuous whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force'.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]