2nd Lieutenant Valentine Grantham DON
7 Platoon, B Company, 8th (Service) Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Date of birth: 28th September 1895
Date of death: 26th September 1915

Killed in action aged 19
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panels 95 to 97
Valentine Grantham Don was born at Brechin in Forfarshire on the 28th of September 1895 the son of John Birrell Don, a flax manufacturer, and Ida Valentine (nee Faithfull) Don of “Maulesden”, Brechin in Forfarshire.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1909 where he was a member of the Choir. He was a member of the Cricket XI in 1907, 1908 and 1909 when he was Captain. He was a member of the Football XI in 1908. The school magazine wrote the following on his 1907 cricket season: - "Has a very safe pair of hands and is a good medium pace bowler, but has still a name to make for himself with the willow."

Of his 1908 cricket season they wrote: - "Invaluable in every department; should prove a tower of strength when his accuracy with the ball is furthered by ability to vary pitch and pace at will, and when he has learnt how to deal with the "loose ones"."

Of his 1909 cricket season they wrote: - "A really good captain, always ready to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. A most unlucky bat, could not get going at all. As a bowler has not fulfilled the promise of last season. A keen and good field."

They wrote the following on his 1908 football season: - "(Centre forward) - Was the first "new choice" to earn his "colours"; is rather prone to dally, and should correct a bad habit of facing his own goal in order to receive a pass."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote of him: - "...goes to Winchester where he was the "best candidate up for the entrance examination". A member of both XI's and of the choir, in all of which he showed the utmost keenness; he set a splendid example of doing his utmost for his school upon all and every occasion. O si sic omnes/Loved and lamented by everyone."

He went on to Winchester College from 1909 to 1914 where he was in Mr Blore’s house, becoming Head of House and a Senior Prefect. He was a keen naturalist and was Secretary and Treasurer of the Natural History Society. He matriculated for New College Oxford but did not take his place there before joining the army on the outbreak of war.

Instead he applied for a commission in the 8th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) on the 17th of August 1914 in an application which was supported by Mr Montague John Rendall, Headmaster of Winchester College. He underwent a medical examination at Shoreham-by-Sea on the same day at which he was passed as fit for general service. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the battalion on the 27th of November 1914 and embarked for France with his battalion from Southampton on the 31st of August 1915 as officer commanding No.7 Platoon in B Company. They landed at Le Havre the following day.

On the 26th of September 1915, the second day of the Battle of Loos, the 8th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) was detailed to attack German positions 1,000 yards beyond the Lens-La Bassee Road up gently sloping ground, the whole advance was some 2,100 yards. At 11am, at the cessation of the British barrage, the men of the 8th advanced in waves towards the German positions. The battalion were on their Brigade’s left and in the vanguard of the attack. At first all went well, though they were under fire from artillery and machine gun fire, the line did not waver. As they crossed the Lens- La Bassee Road the German guns found their range and the men came under a hail of rifle, machine gun and artillery fire, but still they pushed on. They swept over the German front line trench which was full of dead the rest of the enemy defenders having fled. They pushed on towards the next line which was protected by a belt of barbed wire. When they reached the wire they found that it was practically intact as the bombardment had not cut it as had been the plan. The position was desperate. Some gallant efforts were made to get through the wire, in which Valentine Don was conspicuous; being seen to fall when he was halfway through the German wire. All most of the men could do was throw themselves down and attempt to return the enemy’s fire, but the position was untenable. One by one all the officers were cut down and to hold on would have meant annihilation, there was no alternative but to fall back to the start line. Of the 24 officers and 800 men who had attacked only one officer and 250 men were effective at the evening’s roll call.

His father received the following telegram dated the 5th of October 1915: -

"Regret to inform you that Lt. V.G. Don 8th West Kent Regt. was wounded and missing between 25/27 Sept."

As his death was unconfirmed, enquiries were made from members of his battalion in an attempt to ascertain his fate.

Testament of Private 4410 William Symonds, A Company, 8th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) taken at prisoner of war camp Munster I on the 22nd of April 1916: -

"Lieut. Don was hit by a bullet in the temple when by my side. He died immediately. I knew Lieut. Don and, had just previous to his being hit, been speaking with him."

For his actions that day he was mentioned in despatches.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Winchester College.
Went on to Winchester College

Back