Lt Maurice Dease is our first historical figure we remember as part of our advent calendar.
Dease was born on 28 September 1889 in Gaulstown, Ireland. He was educated in Lancashire and London before being accepted into Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Maurice was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on the 25th May 1910.
Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914, and the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers were amongst the first deployed to meet and stop the advance of the German army.
On the 23rd August the British Expeditionary Force came into contact with the German army for the first time around the small town of Mons, Belgium. Mons was a strategically important place given its position next to a canal with multiple bridges.
At this point, only a single company of the 4th Battalion (5 officers and 240 men at full strength) including the machine gun section commanded by Lt Dease, were defending the railway bridge that crossed the Mons-Conde canal. They were outnumbered two to one, although to begin with, they had no knowledge of the force they were to face.
Nimy Bridge Mons
As the first German troops approached Nimy Bridge, the Royal Fusiliers opened with fast and accurate fire, forcing the first wave back. The next waves however, were to be stronger and supported by artillery which began to take its toll on British troops.
Lieutenant Dease was the only man left from his machine-gun section and so took to firing the weapon himself. He was wounded five times, refusing to leave his position until he could fight on, no more. He was evacuated but succumbed to his wounds later that day.
Dease was to be the first man of the First World War to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry.
His citation read "Though two or three times badly wounded he continued to control the fire of his machine guns at Mons on 23rd Aug., until all his men were shot. He died of his wounds."
When Lieutenant Dease had been mortally wounded, Private Sidney Godley took over the defence of the bridge, giving others time to retreat. He was also awarded the VC for his actions. He was taken prisoner.
An account of the day reads, "The machine gun crews were constantly being knocked out. So cramped was their position that when a man was hit he had to be removed before another could take his place. The approach from the trench was across the open, and whenever a gun stopped Lieutenant Maurice Dease... went up to see what was wrong. To do this once called for no ordinary courage. To repeat it several times could only be done with real heroism. Dease was badly wounded on these journeys, but insisted on remaining at duty as long as one of his crew could fire. The third wound proved fatal, and a well deserved VC was awarded him posthumously.”
From around 08:00 to 13:00 on 23rd August 1914, British troops were in constant action desperately trying to stop the German advance. It became clear that with overwhelming numbers and firepower of the Germans, it was only a matter on time.
The actions of Lt Maurice Dease gave his men the best chance at retreating and living to fight another day. Without his leadership, the position would have been overwhelmed a lot sooner with many more men being killed or captured. He was just 24 years old.
His calm and courageousness in the face of this situation, knowing he would face almost certain death is something I cannot comprehend. Today we remember Maurice and give thanks for his life.
He lies peacefully in the beautiful St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, two km east of Mons.
Lt Dease Grave
Visiting Mons
With the help of the team at SGWT, you can trace the actions of Lt Dease and his men on the exact spot. Follow the other engagements of the day and finish at St. Symphorien Military Cemetery which holds so many fascinating stories.
Contact us today to find out more: sophie@sophiesgreatwartours.com