Personal info
- Name: Robert Anderson DUNSIRE
- D.O.B: 26th Nov, 1891
- D.O.A: 26th Sep, 1915
- D.O.D: 30th Jan, 1916
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 13th Battalion The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), 45th Brigade, 15th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Near Fauquissart, France 25-26 September 1915
25-26 September 1915
The First World War 1915
Early on the morning of 25 September 1915 in order to divert German resources from the Battle of Loos, the Garhwal and Bareilly Brigades, together with the 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade, attacked the enemy line at Piètre, just north-west of Aubers on the Fauquissart road. The British used gas but the wind carried this back across their own lines with disastrous consequences. Despite this, the 2nd Battalion Black Watch captured the German front and second lines and by 11am a company of 12th Battalion Rifle Brigade moved into the enemy front line. However, a German counter-attack thirty minutes later forced them to withdraw. Meanwhile, the attack by 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles was faring less well. Most of No 4 Double Company were cut down by German fire and only Lieutenant Wood and four men reached the German front line where all but Rifleman Kulbir Thapa were killed. Between the first and second German trenches he found a wounded Private of the 2nd Leicesters. Staying with the man until the next morning, he was able to lead him back to the British line before undertaking further rescues. Temporary Lieutenant G A Maling RAMC distinguished himself throughout the action.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery on Hill 70 on 26th September, 1915. Private Dunsire went out under very heavy fire and rescued a wounded man from between the firing lines. Later, when another man considerably nearer the German lines was heard shouting for help, he crawled out again with utter disregard to the enemy’s fire and carried him in also. Shortly afterwards the Germans attacked over this ground.
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