Award Victoria Cross 1476801 Fusilier Dennis DONNINI, 4/5th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers: 18/01/1945

Fusilier Dennis Donnini V.C. 4/5th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

The youngest Victoria Cross winner of the war he was also 5ft 4ins so how he attacked the Germans whilst wounded with the Bren is astonishing. Postumously awarded the V.C. and buried Sittard War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Born Easington Colliery, County Durham, attended Wolsingham Convent and Corby Hall School, Sunderland. He was also a member of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers Birtley branch working at Durham Cable Company's factory before he enlisted in 1944.

His oldest brother Lewis Dino (T/242466) “…died shortly after being invalided out of the Army.” His other brother Alfred [28/2/1918] was also a Fusilier in the 9th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers; taken prisoner at Dunkirk sometime in France either May or June 1940 (4275815) imprisoned at Stalag XX Thorn (PW No. 7079) before the war he was General Labourer Heavy Worker at Oxide & Cable Works. Must have been a shock to come home find your father has been 'imprisoned' and the loss of two brothers. His other brother Lewis Dino (T/242466) “…died shortly after being invalided out of the Army.” His two sisters Silvia and Corrina were also in the ATS.

His father Alfredo came over in 1898 when he was aged 17 from Castelnuove, Alfredo’s sister, Elleta’s husband was also shot by the Germans; believe Alfredo was naturalised till 1948. GMB article statees how he was interned during the war but I can’t find any record in the archives or online; maybe someone else could did that out.

North East War Memorials Project - Every Name A Story Content

 

No wonder he actually looks so young - he is

UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007
Name: Dennis Donnini
Birth Date: 17 Nov 1925
Birth Place: Easington Colliery, Durham
Death Date: 18 Jan 1945
Death Place: Near Roermond, Holland


TD

 

I am Dennis Donnini's niece. I have always been told that my granfdather Alfredo Donnini was never interned.

 

Cath,

Thanks for the update. I have alerted the author of the opening post to have a look.