This bronze memorial plaque was presented by the United Kingdom to the country of Denmark to honor two men (Private Thomas Dineson and Captain Percy Howard Hansen) for their actions during the First World War. The bronze plaque rests on a piece of granite. The Victoria Cross emblem is at the top of the plaque with the following inscription below:
From the people of the
United Kingdom in honour of
Private Thomas Dinesen
Captain Percy Howard Hansen
who were awarded the Victoria Cross,
Britain's highest award for gallantry,
during the First World War
The following information about this plaque and others like it presented to other countries is from a United Kingdom publication titled First World War Centenary:
This year [2014], we are marking our gratitude to 175 men from 11 countries who demonstrated the utmost bravery "in the face of the enemy" during the First World War. These extraordinary men were awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for valour for their actions during the War. We shall honour them by engraving their names on bronze memorial plaques, to be presented to their home countries, sending out a powerful message that people of all backgrounds and faiths can unite in the name of a common cause. We intend that these plaques will be displayed in prominent public areas in the VC recipients' home countries and hope that the VC heroes' stories will become better known."
The following information about Private Thomas Dinesen is from the Canadian National Defence website:
Thomas Dinesen was born in Rungsted, Denmark on 9 August 1892. During the First World War he unsuccessfully attempted to join the French Army, the British Army and the American Army. Finally, through the good offices of the Canadian recruiting authorities in New York, Dinesen was able to enlist in the Royal Highlanders of Canada. He served in France with the 42nd Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Private Dinesen earned the Victoria Cross as a result of his actions on 12 August 1918 in the first days of the Allied offensive known as the Battle of Amiens. On that day, his exertions over ten hours resulted in the capture of more than 1.5 kilometres of stubbornly defended German trenches at Parvillers. As well as engaging in hand-to-hand fighting, Dinesen rushed forward alone five times to put hostile machine guns out of action, killing 12 of the enemy. In recognition of Private Dinesen’s achievement, the French Government awarded him the Croix de Guerre, and he was commissioned as an officer in November 1918.
Dinesen died in Leerbaek, Denmark on 10 March 1979."
The following information about Captain Percy Howard Hansen is from the Wikipedia:
"Brigadier Percy Howard Hansen VC, DSO, MC (26 October 1890 – 12 February 1951), was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to personnel of the British and Commonwealth forces.
There is disagreement concerning the places of Hansen's birth and death. Some sources state that he was born in Durban, South Africa; another says "Dresden, Germany (where his parents were taking a cure)". Similarly, one source gives his place of death as "Kensington, London" and subsequent burial at Garnisons Cemetery, Copenhagen, while another says he died in Copenhaven.
Military career
After officer training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Hansen was commissioned into the Lincolnshire Regiment on 4 March 1911.
He was appointed as a temporary captain shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914, as Adjutant in the regiment's 6th Battalion, and his promotion was made permanent in the following April. He fought with his regiment during the Gallipoli Campaign in summer 1915. On 9 August 1915 at Yilghin Bumu, Hansen's battalion was forced to withdraw while assaulting Scimitar Hill. Hansen and volunteers repeatedly moved back and forth under heavy fire to successfully rescue six wounded men from capture, or death by burning. Hansen was consequently awarded the Victoria Cross."