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1/8 I’d like share with you a little bit about Fusilier Dennis Donnini V.C.
On this day 76 years ago Donnini carried out an action at the start of the 52(L)Div advance in Op Blackcock. He was the 52nd’s only VC and the youngest recipient of the entire war @wehavewayspod
On this day 76 years ago Donnini carried out an action at the start of the 52(L)Div advance in Op Blackcock. He was the 52nd’s only VC and the youngest recipient of the entire war @wehavewayspod
Donnini was the son of an Italian immigrant Alfredo Donnini and Catherine(nee Brown) who lived in and owned an ice cream parlour in Easington Colliery, Co Durham, his two brothers served with one killed in Italy and one POW after Dunkirk @wehavewayspod
Donninis Battalion the 4/5 Royal Scots Fusiliers (RSF) were the break in Batt of 156 Bde. Tasked with breaching the defensive line in the village of Stein, 4/5RSF had to breach wire and mines then cross the Saffeler Brook before taking the village @wehavewayspod
Due to the overnight thaw the intimate support by the tanks of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry were unable to aid the assault beyond the brook, 4/5RSF and specifically A Coy would be on their own @wehavewayspod
A Coy led the attack and quickly bogged down under intense fire, Donnini realising that the initiative had to be regained moved forward....please read the London Gazette VC citation on this photo @wehavewayspod
Donninis’ actions allowed the advance to continue, Stein was cleared which allowed the other battalions of the 156Bde to peel right and left and roll up the defensive line @wehavewayspod
These are actual photos of A Coy on the morning of the attack. These men would have known Donnini and possibly witnessed his charge @wehavewayspod
Donnini is still well remembered in Easington with a mural of him being unveiled only a couple years ago. One of the last things he said to his mother was: ‘don’t worry Mum, if I have to die I die fighting. But remember one day I’ll get the V.C’ @WeHaveWaysPod
