Percy Dean

Percy Thompson Dean, VC (20 July 1877 – 20 March 1939)[1] was a British businessman, politician, sailor, and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, and also a politician.

For the Australian public servant, see Percy Deane.

Percy Dean
Group of naval VC winners at Wellington Barracks hosted by King George V. Percy Dean is at left
Member of Parliament for Blackburn
In office
14 December 1918 – 26 October 1922
MonarchGeorge V
Preceded byPhilip Snowden
Succeeded bySydney Henn
Personal details
Born(1877-07-20)20 July 1877
Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Died20 March 1939(1939-03-20) (aged 61)
London, England
Political partyConservative
Military service
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch/serviceRoyal Navy
RankLieutenant Commander
Battles/warsFirst World War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Mentioned in Despatches

Victoria Cross

Dean was 40 years old and a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 and 23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, after Intrepid and Iphigenia had been scuttled, their crews were taken off by Motor Launch 282 commanded by Lieutenant Dean. He embarked more than 100 officers and men under constant and deadly fire from heavy and machine-guns at point blank range. This complete, he was about to clear the canal when the steering gear broke down, so he manoeuvred on his engines and was actually clear of the entrance to the harbour when he was told there was an officer in the water. He immediately turned back and rescued him.[2]

Dean later achieved the rank of lieutenant commander.

Post-war

After the war, Dean was elected at the 1918 general election as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Blackburn, serving until the 1922 general election. He was chairman of the Moelferna and Dee Side Slate and Slab Quarries Company in Wales between the wars.[3]

Dean's VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

References
  1. Percy Thompson Dean on Lives of the First World War
  2. "No. 30807". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 July 1918. p. 8586.
  3. Annual Register. J. Dodsley. 1940.
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