W. A. Dunne, Assistant Commissary Rorke's Drift defender 22nd/23rd Jan 1879

W. A. Dunne, Assistant Commissary in charge of the stores at Rorke's Drift, recommended for the Victoria Cross for hcs Gallant Services in the Defence.

Written by Dunne in 1891, Dunne recalled: Suddenly, we noticed at care distance across the river, a large number of mounted natives approaching, preceded by a lot of women and children driving oxen. We were going down to find out what they were, but had not gone many steps when we were called back by one of the men who said that a mounted orderly wished to see the officer in command. Turning back at once we met a mounted man in his shirt-sleeves riding hurriedly towards us. hcs first words were "the camp is taken by Zulus!"' Bromhead despatched a runner to inform Lieutenant John Chard, the R.E. officer in charge of the ponts at the river crossing, whereupon another breathless messenger rode in bearing a note which had reached him by the combined efforts of four officers, stressing that the post was to be held at all costs and warning that a Zulu impi was on its way towards Rorke's Drift. It was now, as Dunne put it, a choice of 'Do or Die'. Dalton's suggestion of fortifying the post by piling up mealie bags to form barricades, linking the store and hospital, was quickly agreed upon and, while Bromhead fell in the men, Dunne and Dalton traced out the lines of the ramparts on the ground. Dunne wrote of the preparations: out posts were thrown out, tents struck, ammunition was served out, and the work of putting up the barricade was begun by all hands. Other preparations were also made: a water barrel was filled and brought inside, and several boxes of ammunition were opened and placed in convenient places. It was well for us that we had the help of 300 natives at this juncture, otherwise the work could not have been accomplished in time.' 'in about two hours', Dunne continues, 'a wall breast high had been made nearly all round, taking in the hospital and store. When I went to look at the progress made at the former place, I saw that this was the weakest point, for there was nothing but a plank to close the opening at one part; but before anything could be done to strengthen it a shot was fired outside. Turning round, I saw one of the out posts running back, and at the same moment a single Zulu appeared, standing out against the sky on top of a high hill which rose up about 100 yards in [the] reat of the store. Immediately they heard the shot our 300 natives took up their assegais and made off towards Helpmakaar, followed by their officer! Chard, seeing that we could not now hold the original line, immediately had the space curtailed by drawing a row of biscuit boxes, two high, across the middle. This probably saved us later from destruction, for it afforded shelter for the men when they were obliged to retreat on the hospital being taken.' 'Very soon the Zulus appeared round the foot of the hill in a black mass, coming on without a sound at a steady trot. The men on that side, without waiting for any word of command, opened fire on them at once at about 800 yards range and dropped many of the fore most, causing the remainder to swerve away to their left and thus round to the front of our position. Soon they were all round us, and all sides of the square became hotly engaged. The store, which had been loopholed, afforded shelter to care of the men, who were able to do great execution on that side; but the heaviest attack was made on the hospital, which was soon captured after a very stub born resistance on the part of the few men defending ending it who were forced back by numbers, fighting all the time with their bayonets, Ptes. Williams, Hook, and R. and W. Jones, of the 24th greatly distinguishing themselves in their efforts to save the sick. Those of the sick who were able to move escaped by running back to the second line of boxes; but care poor fellows were stabbed to death with assegais in their beds.' With all surviving members of the garrison hemmed in behind the biscuit box wall at the eastern end of the entrenchment, the epic struggle, illuminated by the burning thatch of the hospital roof, reached its climax: 'Several times the fore most Zulus rushed right up to the barricade, but were always driven back with heavy loss, many being stopped only by the bayonet. The men behaved with splendid coolness and bravery. It was a soldier's battle each man fighting for hcs own hand; and well did they avenge the slaughter of their comrades at Isandhlwana.'

In the next turn of events Dunne was to perform a prominent part, though characteristically hcs modest account fails to mention the danger to which Dunne, was exposed: '.. the position was a desperate one and our chance of escape seemed slight indeed, so Chard decided to form a sort of redoubt of mealie bags, where a last stand could be made. We laboured at this till we dropped with exhaustion: but succeeded in building it up to about eight feet on the outside, and here the wounded were 9 brought for protection. It was hard work, for the bags of meealies weighed 200 lbs. each'.
Dunne's efforts in constructing the redoubt were later acknowledged by John Chard and subsequently formed the basis of the attempt to recognise his gallantry with the award of the Victoria Cross. Three days after the miraculous outcome of the Defence of Rorke's Drift, Chard reported: ' ... Seeing the hospital burning, and the desperate attempts of the enemy to fire the roof of the stores, we converted two mealie-bag heaps into a sort of redoubt, which gave a second line of fire all round; Assistant- Commissary Dunne working hard at this, though much exposed, and rendering valuable assistance ...' Seven months later the possible award of a V. C. to Dunne was still being discussed, and in response to a request made by Sir Edward Strickland, the Commissary General, for evidence to support bestowal, Brevet Major Chard wrote the following from Durban, on 20 August, 1879: 'My dear Sir Edward, I have very much pleasure in writing at your request the following short account of Mr Dunne's services on the occasion of the attack on Rorke's Drift 22-23 Jan 1879 - Mr Dunne from the first gave valuable assistance in superintending and working at our defences, and with Mr Byrne was greatly instrument to forming the retrenchment of biscuit boxes which was in all probability the means of our successful defence, and that at a time when the firing in the distance being heard, there was every necessity for the work being completed as quickly as possible. At one time during the attack, and when the hospital was burning, it appeared as if the enemy would also succeed in setting fire to the Commissariat Store - and it became of the greatest importance to have care point to rally round in case they succeeded. It was then that we formed our inner defence of the two heaps of mealies in sacks - Mr Dunne worked hard at this. Eventually the little redoubt was completed; hcs height in addition to the fact of standing on the heaps which were high above our outer walls, causing him to be much exposed. The enemy's fire was very heavy at the time, and in addition to any shots aimed at those working, from the usual Zulu fault of firing high, the place was one of particular exposure. Believe me Dear Sir Edward Very faithfully yours J.R.M. Chard' 78 Despite Chard's testimony and the muted support of Chelmsford, the matter was finally decided by H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge who, on 18 October declared, "We are giving the Vc very freely I think, but probably Mr Dalton had as good a claim as the others who have got the Cross for Rorke's Drift Defence. I don't think there is a case for Mr Dunne." Accordingly Dunne had to content himself with promotion to Deputy Commissary.

In February 1908 Sadly Dunne was in poor health and breathed hcs last in Rome just five months later.



sas1

Born Feb 10, 1853; was educated at Queen's University, Ireland; joined the Army in 1873, and has seen active service in the Kaffir War of 1877-8; the Zulu War (being present at Rorke's Drift and Ulundi); the Sekukuni Expedition of 1880 (despatches), the Boer War 1880-1 (siege of Potchefstroom; dies patches); the Egyptian Campaign, 1882 (present at Tel-el-Kebir); and the Suakin Expedition, 1885 Colonel Dunne has been Assistant QMG at Army Headquarters since Jan, 1900, and represents the War Office on the Army Med. Advisory Board. He married, July 23, 1885, Winifred, daughter of John Bird, CMG, Treasurer of Natal.

From:angloboerwar.com

Hallo to all.
I have a report on a Col. W. Dunne, C.B.,C.B.E, born in Ireland, eduaced in Carlow. Entered the army in 1875. he became a Major, Army Service Corpysin 1888. Lieut Col.in 1890. He was one of the heros of Rorkes Drift. He faught through the Boer Warof 1880-1. In 1879 he was created a Companion of the Bath (Military), and retired in 1903.
He assumed the duties of Camp Commadantat at the Curragh (Ireland) in 1914.
Q. Does any body know of this man ?.
Regards.
John.

Hi jhi

Firstly, welcome to the forum, good to see you taking part.

I think your report may have got things a little mixed up. There were two Dunne's.
1) Walter Alphonus Dunne
2) William Dunne

I have taken the following from the Hart's Army list of 1888.

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Walter Alphonus Dunne entry

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William Dunne entry

Both serving in the same regiment at the same time. Now your report could have mixed up the two of them.

Thank you.
Now that I know that there were two W. Dunne's, the information is very similar. Did these two follow each othe into battle ?. One was supposed to have died in Rome in 1903, yet in the cutting you sent to me he was alive and serving in 1905.
The report that is in the Rorkes battle report is that he died in 1903.
Is there anyway that I could get a profile on both men ?.
Regards.
John.

Hi John

Just to clear things up a little, Walter Dunne retired from the service in Gibraltar, February 1908. He died at the English Nursing Home in Rome on 2nd July 1908.

William Dunne was still in service in 1903 as you can see from 1903 Army list
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But then if you look at the Army list for 1904, he is not listed, so he must of left or died in service sometime during 1903.

Quote :

Did these two follow each other into battle?

The answer is no, they did not.

So Walter Dunne died in 1908
and William Dunne died in 1903

Hope this helps

Col Walter Alphonsus Dunne
Birth: Feb. 10, 1853
County Cork, Ireland
Death: Jul. 2, 1908
Rome
Lazio, Italy

Defender of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, with rank of Assistant Commissary Officer (equivalent of 1st Lieutenant). Mentioned in despatches for his role in the battle. Participated in the Anglo-Boer War of 1880-1881 and the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882. Attained the rank of Colonel in the (Royal) Army Service Corps. Appointed a Companion of the Bath (CB). Retired from the Army in February 1908, and passed away in Rome the following summer.

Requiescat in pace.

Inscription:
"Of Your Charity, Pray for the Soul of Colonel Walter Alphonsus Dunne, CB, Late A.S. Corps, Born 10 February 1853, Died in Rome 2 July 1908. RIP. 'Blessed are the Pure of Heart, for They shall See God.'"

The more that I read about the Dunne's the more confusing it becomes.The Col. Dunne that I am interested in was born 1855. in Ireland and died there about 1932.
Either the reports in the papers are incorrect or the reports on this site are not correct. They all seemed to be taking credit for the same parts in the same wars.
There must be an exact war record of each man. How can I access these ?.
Regards.
John.

Just to make it clear. You are looking for information on "Colonel Walter Alphonsus Dunne" Not William Dunne.

Hi John

I am also getting a little confused now. Can you named the source or sources that talks about the W. Dunne that you are asking about?