Edmund De Wind was a Canadian 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.

He was 34 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 15th Bn., The Royal Irish Rifles , British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 March 1918, at the Racecourse Redoubt, near Groagie , France, for seven hours Second Lieutenant De Wind held this important post and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be sent to his help. On two occasions, with two NCOs only, he got out on top under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many of them. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed.

Also considered Irish.

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

External links

• EDMUND DEWIND (service/personal details, citation, relevant documents, burial information)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.