Britain at War

By Lord Ashcroft

First published in Britain at War in October 2018.

Lieutenant Thomas Fasti Dinesen VC: aggression

Thomas Fasti Dinesen was born in Rungsted, near Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, on 9 August 1892. He was the son of Captain Adolph Dinesen and his wife Ingeborg (née Westenholz). Thomas Dinesen came from a wealthy, aristocratic, military family and his grandfather, as well as his father, served as an officer in the Danish Army.

His sister was Izak Dinesen (later Baroness Karen Blixen), the author of Out of Africa (in the film of the same name she is played by Meryl Streep) and other works. Dinesen was educated at Rungsted State School and the Polytechnical School, Copenhagen. (more…)

By Lord Ashcroft

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine. (more…)

By Lord Ashcroft

First published in Britain at War in September 2018.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Alexander Picton Brereton VC: initiative

Alexander Picton Brereton was born in Oak River, Alexander, Manitoba, Canada, on 13 November 1892. He was the son of Cloudesley Brereton, a farmer, and his wife Annie (née Black). One of six children, four boys and two girls, he was educated in Oak River. (more…)

By lordashcroft.com

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The September issue of the magazine has a three-page write-up on the life and bravery of Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Alexander Brereton, who was born in Manitoba, Canada, in November 1892. (more…)

By Lord Ashcroft

First published in Britain at War in August 2018.

Sergeant Henry Dalziel VC: boldness

Henry Dalziel was born in Irvinebank, North Queensland, Australia, on 18 February 1893. He was the son of James Dalziel, a miner, and his wife Eliza (née McMillan). He attended local schools, including Irvinebank School. (more…)

By lordashcroft.com

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The August issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Sergeant Henry Dalziel VC. Dalziel was born in North Queensland, Australia, and he enlisted in into the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, aged 21. (more…)

By Lord Ashcroft

First published in Britain at War in July 2018.

Temporary Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll VC: skill

John Scott Youll was born in the mining village of Thornley, County Durham, on 6 June 1897. He was the younger son of Richard and Margaret Youll and he attended Thornley Council School in Wingate, County Durham. Known throughout his life as “Jack”, he left school at fifteen and became an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery. (more…)

By lordashcroft.com

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The July issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Temporary Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll VC. Youll was born in the mining village of Thornley, County Durham. Known throughout his life as “Jack”, he left school at 15 and became an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery. (more…)

By Lord Ashcroft

First published in Britain at War in June 2018.

Brigadier Manley Angell James VC, DSO, MBE, MC: leadership

Manley Angell James was born in Odiham, Hampshire, on 12 July 1896. He was the son of Dr John James and his wife Emily. After leaving Bristol Grammar School aged eighteen, he had intended to follow his father into the medical profession. However, after the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914, he was commissioned on 1 December as a temporary second lieutenant to the 8th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment. (more…)

By lordashcroft.com

Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.

The June issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Brigadier Manley Angell James, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for outstanding bravery during the Great War. (more…)