Wilbur Taylor Dartnell VC was killed in action on this day in 1915

William enlisted, only age 15, in 1901 in the South African Rifles and went to Africa. He returned to Australia 12 years later, became an actor and married Elizabeth (née Smyth) in April 1906.

They lived at 'Maktau', Phillips Avenue, Murrumbeena, Victoria.

William enlisted when war was declared in August 1914 and went to England the following February 1915. He joined the 25th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers, as a temporary lieutenant. By early May, he was in Mombasa. In June, the Fusiliers captured Bukoba, the German base for attacks on the Ugandan frontier.

On 3 September 1915, near Maktau, East Africa William was wounded in the leg during an ambush.

Lt. Dartnell insisted on being left behind to allow other wounded companions to be carried away. Though he was twice asked to leave, he refused, ordered his men to leave him and began firing at the Germans around him. When his body was found, seven enemy dead were lying nearby.

Wilbur Dartnell was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. The citation read:

"For most conspicuous bravery near Maktau (East Africa) on 3rd September, 1915. During a mounted infantry engagement the enemy got within a few yards of our men, and it was found impossible to get the more severely wounded away. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was himself being carried away wounded in the leg, seeing the situation, and knowing that the enemy's black troops murdered the wounded, insisted on being left behind in the hopes of being able to save the lives of the other wounded men. He gave his own life in the gallant attempt to save others."

Lt. Wilbur Taylor Dartnell V.C., 25th Bn. Royal Fusiliers