Dunn and Cockburn Victoria Crosses loaned to the Canadian War Museum

Dunn and Cockburn Victoria Crosses loaned to the Canadian War Museum by Upper Canada College

The Victoria Cross was instituted on February 5, 1856, with the first awards given to heroes of the Crimean War (1854–1856). It is the British Commonwealth’s highest award for military bravery and has been awarded to only 94 Canadians. Both Dunn, V.C., and Cockburn, V.C., are former students of Upper Canada College (UCC).

“As Canada’s national museum of military history, we look forward to sharing with visitors these important artifacts and the stories of these two notable Canadians,” said Daniel Glenney, Director of Special Projects at the Canadian War Museum (CWM).

“These Victoria Crosses are an important part of Upper Canada College’s heritage,” said Andy Pringle, Chair of UCC’s Board of Governors. “Because the medals are also national treasures, we are delighted to share them with the wider audience of Canadian War Museum visitors.”

Alexander Roberts Dunn received his Victoria Cross for deeds performed in one of the most notorious blunders in military history, the charge of the Light Brigade of October 25, 1854 during the Crimean War. The brigade had charged down a long valley, surrounded on three sides by Russian guns. It was cut to pieces, losing 472 of the 670 who participated. While retreating with the 11th Hussars, Dunn charged, and killed with his sabre, three Russian horsemen threatening a British sergeant whose horse was lagging behind. He subsequently sabred another Russian who was attacking a British private. After the war, when the 11th Hussars as a unit was awarded the newly instituted Victoria Cross, Dunn was selected unanimously by its members to be the recipient.

Hampton Zane Churchill Cockburn was awarded the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Leliefontein during the South African War on November 7, 1900. Leading a small Canadian rearguard force, Cockburn sacrificed himself and his troops in the face of an overwhelming number of Boer mounted soldiers in order to save several Canadian guns. The guns retreated to safety, but only a few of Cockburn’s men escaped, the rest being killed, wounded or captured. Cockburn survived the war and returned home a hero.

The Dunn V.C. medal set consists of the Victoria Cross, the Crimea Medal with Alma, Inkermann, Balaclava, and Sebastopol bars, the Turkish Crimea Medal, and the Abyssinian War Medal. In addition to the Victoria Cross medal set, Upper Canada College has also loaned the Knights Templar star that belonged to John Henry Dunn, Alexander Roberts Dunn’s father. It designates his membership in the Knights Templar, a Masonic organization, and dates to circa 1840.

The Cockburn V.C. medal set includes the Victoria Cross and the Queen’s South Africa Medal with Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Orange Free State, and Cape Colony Bars. In addition to Cockburn’s Victoria Cross medal set, Upper Canada College has also loaned his Royal Canadian Humane Association Bravery Medal (Bronze) for saving two lives on September 20, 1897, and a Welcome Home medal awarded by the City of Toronto to its soldiers returning from the South African War.

Established in Toronto in 1829, Upper Canada College is a leading independent school for boys. It offers a day program for Senior Kindergarten through Grade 12 an