Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney
Encyclopedia
Private Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney VC
DCM
MM
(24 December 1892 - 18 September 1918) was a 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. Born in Dublin, Ireland
, by birth he was an Irish
citizen but became a Canadian citizen by naturalization.
Nunney was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 2 September 1918. The other six Victoria Cross recipients were William Metcalf
, Cyrus Wesley Peck
, John Francis Young
, Walter Leigh Rayfield
, Bellenden Hutcheson and Arthur George Knight
.
Nunney was not born in Dublin Ireland, but in fact he was born in Hastings, England.
Nunney did not become a Canadian citizen by naturalization process, but by becoming part of a child emigration scheme known as British Home Children.
Dave Lorente (Homechildren Canada) wrote in an article on Claude:
"It is interesting to speculate how Claude Nunney would answer, were he alive today and asked to give his first names, DOB and birthplace, because for some unknown reason or reasons he knowingly or unwittingly gave false information when he joined up in World War I. Perhaps it was because, like so many other Home Children, he had lost his baptismal record and/or birth certificate. ... [H]is birth certificate shows he was actually born in Hastings, England - not in Dublin as his military Attestation papers show. Nor was he Irish...and his name was not Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney as he stated but Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney' - the 'Sargent' being his mother's maiden name. His birthdate was also wrong and he came to Canada as Stephen - not Claude. All that said, none of it detracts in any way from the brave things he did during World War I when he became one of 'Canada's Magnificent Seven' and won the former Empire and Commonwealth's highest award for bravery in the ranks."
in the 38th (Ottawa) Battalion
, Canadian Expeditionary Force
, during the First World War
when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.
13 December 1918
He died aged 25, 16 days after receiving what proved to be mortal wounds and was buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, near Aubigny-en-Artois (Grave reference number IV. B. 39)
.
and Distinguished Conduct Medal
), including his VC are displayed above the fireplace at the Armoury in Cornwall, Ontario
.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
DCM
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
MM
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
(24 December 1892 - 18 September 1918) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces. Born in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, by birth he was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
citizen but became a Canadian citizen by naturalization.
Nunney was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 2 September 1918. The other six Victoria Cross recipients were William Metcalf
William Metcalf
William Metcalf may refer to :* William Henry Metcalf , World War I soldier* William Metcalf , American steel producer...
, Cyrus Wesley Peck
Cyrus Wesley Peck
Cyrus Wesley Peck VC DSO and Bar 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. Peck was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on...
, John Francis Young
John Francis Young
John Francis Young VC , 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...
, Walter Leigh Rayfield
Walter Leigh Rayfield
Walter Leigh Rayfield VC 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. Rayfield was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on...
, Bellenden Hutcheson and Arthur George Knight
Arthur George Knight
Arthur George Knight VC , 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. Knight was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 2...
.
Historic Corrections Needed
Birth registration is Stephen Sargent Claude NUNNEY (not Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney).Nunney was not born in Dublin Ireland, but in fact he was born in Hastings, England.
Nunney did not become a Canadian citizen by naturalization process, but by becoming part of a child emigration scheme known as British Home Children.
Dave Lorente (Homechildren Canada) wrote in an article on Claude:
"It is interesting to speculate how Claude Nunney would answer, were he alive today and asked to give his first names, DOB and birthplace, because for some unknown reason or reasons he knowingly or unwittingly gave false information when he joined up in World War I. Perhaps it was because, like so many other Home Children, he had lost his baptismal record and/or birth certificate. ... [H]is birth certificate shows he was actually born in Hastings, England - not in Dublin as his military Attestation papers show. Nor was he Irish...and his name was not Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney as he stated but Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney' - the 'Sargent' being his mother's maiden name. His birthdate was also wrong and he came to Canada as Stephen - not Claude. All that said, none of it detracts in any way from the brave things he did during World War I when he became one of 'Canada's Magnificent Seven' and won the former Empire and Commonwealth's highest award for bravery in the ranks."
Details
He was a PrivatePrivate (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 38th (Ottawa) Battalion
38th Battalion, CEF
The 38th Battalion, CEF was a unit of the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force. It was mobilized in Ottawa and recruited in Ottawa, Brockville, Perth, Prescott and Alexandria. An initial draft of five officers and 251 other ranks was sent to England on June 24, 1915...
, Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
, during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC.
For most conspicuous bravery during the operations against the Drocourt-Quéant LineDrocourt-QuéantThe Drocourt-Quéant Line was a set of mutually supporting defensive lines constructed by Germany between the French cities of Drocourt and Quéant during World War I...
on Sept. 1st and 2nd, 1918.
On Sept. 1st, when his battalion was in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, preparatory to the advance, the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and counter-attacked. Pte. Nunney, who was at this time at company headquarters, immediately on his own initiative proceeded through the barrage to the company outpost lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example. The enemy were repulsed and a critical situation was saved.
- London Gazette
During the attack on Sept. 2nd, his dash continually placed him in advance of his companions, and his fearless example undoubtedly helped greatly to carry the company forward to its objectives. When his battalion which was preparing to advance, was heavily counter-attacked by the enemy, Private Nunney on his own initiative, went forward through the barrage to the company out-post lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example.
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
13 December 1918
He died aged 25, 16 days after receiving what proved to be mortal wounds and was buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, near Aubigny-en-Artois (Grave reference number IV. B. 39)
Further information
Cpl Nunney was a member of the 38th (Ottawa) Battalion which is perpetuated by the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. The Cameron Highlanders are a Canadian Forces Primary Reserve light infantry regiment located in the Cartier Square Drill HallCartier Square Drill Hall
The Drill Hall at Cartier Square is a dedicated military training facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It has been a local landmark since its construction in 1879. The drill hall is long and has two tall mansard towers....
.
The medal
All of Nunney's medals (he had earlier in the war won the Military MedalMilitary Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
and Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
), including his VC are displayed above the fireplace at the Armoury in Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada and the seat of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Ontario. Cornwall is Ontario's easternmost city, located on the St...
.
External links
- Pte. Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney, VC, DCM, MM (biography) <- Geocities not in operation and needs updating
- CLAUDE JOSEPH PATRICK NUNNEY (service/personal details, photograph, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine-The Magnificent Seven
- Ontario Plaques - Claude J.P. Nunney