John Cragg Dunn was the son of Samuel and Mary Catherine Dunn, “Hillside” Liverpool Rd. He was born at Ewloe in 1889 and lived at Ewloe Green Farm. Brothers and sisters were Eleanor, Frederick, Maggie, Philip, William, Elsie and Robert. He was assistant manager at Standard Brick before enlisting in October 1914. John Dunn’s Great War diary was presented in the Buckley Magazine.
John is remembered on a marble tablet in St. Matthews Church.
JOHN CRAGG DUNN
Lieut. 3rd Dorset Regt., 59th Trench Mortar Battery.
Born May 25th, 1889. Killed March 25th, 1916 near St. Eloi.
Buried in LISSENNOCK Cemetery.
THIS TABLET
is erected by his Brother Ringers to commemorate His manly,
generous and amiable qualities as a ringer and church worker
And their deep regard for the loss of so beloved a comrade.
“Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”
His death was announced in the County Herald March 31st, 1916
We regret to announce the death of Lieutenant John Cragg Dunn, of the Dorset Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dunn, of Liverpool Road, Buckley. His parents received news on Saturday that he had been dangerously wounded, and now a further telegram conveys the sad information that he succumbed to his injuries. Lieutenant Dunn was educated at the Hawarden County School, and on the outbreak of war was engaged as an assistant manager at the Standard Colliery Brick and Tile Company, Buckley. He joined the first North Wales “Pals,” the 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, in October, 1914, and in June the following year took a commission in the Dorsets, with whom he went to France in October. He was home on leave during January, and was promoted on the field on the 16th February.
Further information was provided by David Underdown and Dave Vickers on Buckley at War.
John Cragg Dunn, Buckley, North Wales
Dorsetshire Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Attd 59th Trench Mortar Battery
Died 25th March 1916, Aged 26.
John Dunn lived at ‘Hillside’ on Liverpool Road and is one of thirteen bellringers buried at Lijssenthoek Cemetery and commemorated in the Central Council for Church Bell Ringers roll of honour kept at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Dunn was born on 28th May 1889 and enlisted with the 13th battalion RWF on 8th October 1914. Educated at Hawarden County School. When applying for commission on 11th May 1915 gave address as Baldwin, St George’s Place, Llandudno (probably a billet as 13th RWF was based in Rhyl at the time) and occupation as assistant to manager of colliery and brickworks. He was 5’7” tall, 34” chest with 2.5” expansion. Fair complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair. Scar at base of left thumb.
Dunn was commissioned on 8th June 1915, previously private 16139 Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Entered France 1915, and as 2nd Lt Dorsets.
On the 25th March 1916 Dunn was admitted to 10 Casualty Clearing Station with a shrapnel wound to left side, penetrating abdomen, reported dangerously wounded. He died of his wounds soon after.
John is also remembered on the family grave at St. Matthew’s.
In loving memory of
Samuel Dunn
Died September 26th 1931
Aged 67 years
Also his beloved wife
Mary Catherine Dunn
Died August 26th 1945
Aged 83 years
Also Lieut John Cragg
Eldest son of the above
Killed in action (France)
March 26 1916 aged 26 years
Remainder is impossible to read
