World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He fought in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War and displayed 'the highest degree of valor.'
Born in Hastings, at 42 Bexhill Road, on 19 July 1892 as Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney, he was generally referred to by his family as Claude. His father was William Percy Nunney, born in Burford, Oxfordshire, and his mother was Mary Nunney, formerly Sargent. Claude was the fourth of eight children.
The family left Hastings in 1895 and moved to Kentish Town, St Pancras, in London, where his mother was to die of food poisoning in February 1899. Two of Claude's younger siblings died very young, and of the remaining six, five passed into the care of the Catholic Church. The three boys born in Hastings, Frederick George, Stephen Claude, and Alfred Nunney all became "Home Children" in Canada.
Alfred and Claude Nunney travelled together aboard the SS Tunisian in October 1905 to Quebec and then on to St George's Home at Hintonberg, Ottawa, Ontario. They were split up and sent to different families, Alfred moving to the Micksburg County, Renfrew, and Claude to North Lancaster. Alfred was just twelve and Claude thirteen when they went in their separate directions. Claude Nunney was placed with Mrs Donald Roy McDonald, where he lived and worked as a "Home Child."
Unbeknown to Claude, his brother George, who travelled as a Home Child to Canada in October 1904, was drowned on 19 July 1908 in the Jock River, Jockvale. This is around 150 kilometres from North Lancaster. He was aged only 17. He had been placed with Patrick Houlahan, a local farmer.
Claude, in the period 1913 and 1914 up to the outbreak of the First World War, travelled to work in Trenton and St Catherine's, Canada. He returned to the North Lancaster Township in early 1915.
On 8 February 1915, Claude Nunney attended the Drill Hall, Alexandria, Glengarry County. He was one of the very first to enlist into the newly authorised regiment in Ottawa, the Ottawa Overseas Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), which was known as the 38th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He re-attested in Ottawa on the 8 March 1915. Nunney claimed to have been born in Dublin. Claude had no previous military service.
He was five foot six inches tall with blue eyes and red hair. The colour of his hair led him to be known by his fellow soldiers as "Red Nunney."
His brother Alfred Nunney was killed in action with the 44th CEF on 10 August 1918 in their attack on Fouquestcourt.
On 9 September 1918, Nunney was recommended by the British First Army for the award of the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the operations to capture the German fortified trenches forming the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Claude Nunney's wounds proved to be fatal, and he died on 18 September 1918. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Claude Nunney was one of seven Canadian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross for the successful attacks on the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Private Nunney was the mostly highly decorated other rank in the Canadian Army in the First World War, being the only Canadian soldier of the war to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Military Medal
On Sunday, 2 September, Claude Nunney's actions that led to him receiving the Victoria Cross were commemorated by the unveiling of a memorial paving stone in Alexandra Park, Hastings.
In attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, the Mayor of Hastings, the Chief of Staff of the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff, and Claude's Great Grand Nephew Tim Nunney.
Born in Hastings, at 42 Bexhill Road, on 19 July 1892 as Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney, he was generally referred to by his family as Claude. His father was William Percy Nunney, born in Burford, Oxfordshire, and his mother was Mary Nunney, formerly Sargent. Claude was the fourth of eight children.
The family left Hastings in 1895 and moved to Kentish Town, St Pancras, in London, where his mother was to die of food poisoning in February 1899. Two of Claude's younger siblings died very young, and of the remaining six, five passed into the care of the Catholic Church. The three boys born in Hastings, Frederick George, Stephen Claude, and Alfred Nunney all became "Home Children" in Canada.
Alfred and Claude Nunney travelled together aboard the SS Tunisian in October 1905 to Quebec and then on to St George's Home at Hintonberg, Ottawa, Ontario. They were split up and sent to different families, Alfred moving to the Micksburg County, Renfrew, and Claude to North Lancaster. Alfred was just twelve and Claude thirteen when they went in their separate directions. Claude Nunney was placed with Mrs Donald Roy McDonald, where he lived and worked as a "Home Child."
Unbeknown to Claude, his brother George, who travelled as a Home Child to Canada in October 1904, was drowned on 19 July 1908 in the Jock River, Jockvale. This is around 150 kilometres from North Lancaster. He was aged only 17. He had been placed with Patrick Houlahan, a local farmer.
Claude, in the period 1913 and 1914 up to the outbreak of the First World War, travelled to work in Trenton and St Catherine's, Canada. He returned to the North Lancaster Township in early 1915.
On 8 February 1915, Claude Nunney attended the Drill Hall, Alexandria, Glengarry County. He was one of the very first to enlist into the newly authorised regiment in Ottawa, the Ottawa Overseas Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), which was known as the 38th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He re-attested in Ottawa on the 8 March 1915. Nunney claimed to have been born in Dublin. Claude had no previous military service.
He was five foot six inches tall with blue eyes and red hair. The colour of his hair led him to be known by his fellow soldiers as "Red Nunney."
His brother Alfred Nunney was killed in action with the 44th CEF on 10 August 1918 in their attack on Fouquestcourt.
On 9 September 1918, Nunney was recommended by the British First Army for the award of the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the operations to capture the German fortified trenches forming the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Claude Nunney's wounds proved to be fatal, and he died on 18 September 1918. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Claude Nunney was one of seven Canadian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross for the successful attacks on the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Private Nunney was the mostly highly decorated other rank in the Canadian Army in the First World War, being the only Canadian soldier of the war to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Military Medal
On Sunday, 2 September, Claude Nunney's actions that led to him receiving the Victoria Cross were commemorated by the unveiling of a memorial paving stone in Alexandra Park, Hastings.
In attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, the Mayor of Hastings, the Chief of Staff of the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff, and Claude's Great Grand Nephew Tim Nunney.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He fought in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War and displayed 'the highest degree of valor.'
Born in Hastings, at 42 Bexhill Road, on 19 July 1892 as Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney, he was generally referred to by his family as Claude. His father was William Percy Nunney, born in Burford, Oxfordshire, and his mother was Mary Nunney, formerly Sargent. Claude was the fourth of eight children.
The family left Hastings in 1895 and moved to Kentish Town, St Pancras, in London, where his mother was to die of food poisoning in February 1899. Two of Claude's younger siblings died very young, and of the remaining six, five passed into the care of the Catholic Church. The three boys born in Hastings, Frederick George, Stephen Claude, and Alfred Nunney all became "Home Children" in Canada.
Alfred and Claude Nunney travelled together aboard the SS Tunisian in October 1905 to Quebec and then on to St George's Home at Hintonberg, Ottawa, Ontario. They were split up and sent to different families, Alfred moving to the Micksburg County, Renfrew, and Claude to North Lancaster. Alfred was just twelve and Claude thirteen when they went in their separate directions. Claude Nunney was placed with Mrs Donald Roy McDonald, where he lived and worked as a "Home Child."
Unbeknown to Claude, his brother George, who travelled as a Home Child to Canada in October 1904, was drowned on 19 July 1908 in the Jock River, Jockvale. This is around 150 kilometres from North Lancaster. He was aged only 17. He had been placed with Patrick Houlahan, a local farmer.
Claude, in the period 1913 and 1914 up to the outbreak of the First World War, travelled to work in Trenton and St Catherine's, Canada. He returned to the North Lancaster Township in early 1915.
On 8 February 1915, Claude Nunney attended the Drill Hall, Alexandria, Glengarry County. He was one of the very first to enlist into the newly authorised regiment in Ottawa, the Ottawa Overseas Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), which was known as the 38th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He re-attested in Ottawa on the 8 March 1915. Nunney claimed to have been born in Dublin. Claude had no previous military service.
He was five foot six inches tall with blue eyes and red hair. The colour of his hair led him to be known by his fellow soldiers as "Red Nunney."
His brother Alfred Nunney was killed in action with the 44th CEF on 10 August 1918 in their attack on Fouquestcourt.
On 9 September 1918, Nunney was recommended by the British First Army for the award of the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the operations to capture the German fortified trenches forming the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Claude Nunney's wounds proved to be fatal, and he died on 18 September 1918. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Claude Nunney was one of seven Canadian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross for the successful attacks on the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Private Nunney was the mostly highly decorated other rank in the Canadian Army in the First World War, being the only Canadian soldier of the war to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Military Medal
On Sunday, 2 September, Claude Nunney's actions that led to him receiving the Victoria Cross were commemorated by the unveiling of a memorial paving stone in Alexandra Park, Hastings.
In attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, the Mayor of Hastings, the Chief of Staff of the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff, and Claude's Great Grand Nephew Tim Nunney.
Born in Hastings, at 42 Bexhill Road, on 19 July 1892 as Stephen Sargent Claude Nunney, he was generally referred to by his family as Claude. His father was William Percy Nunney, born in Burford, Oxfordshire, and his mother was Mary Nunney, formerly Sargent. Claude was the fourth of eight children.
The family left Hastings in 1895 and moved to Kentish Town, St Pancras, in London, where his mother was to die of food poisoning in February 1899. Two of Claude's younger siblings died very young, and of the remaining six, five passed into the care of the Catholic Church. The three boys born in Hastings, Frederick George, Stephen Claude, and Alfred Nunney all became "Home Children" in Canada.
Alfred and Claude Nunney travelled together aboard the SS Tunisian in October 1905 to Quebec and then on to St George's Home at Hintonberg, Ottawa, Ontario. They were split up and sent to different families, Alfred moving to the Micksburg County, Renfrew, and Claude to North Lancaster. Alfred was just twelve and Claude thirteen when they went in their separate directions. Claude Nunney was placed with Mrs Donald Roy McDonald, where he lived and worked as a "Home Child."
Unbeknown to Claude, his brother George, who travelled as a Home Child to Canada in October 1904, was drowned on 19 July 1908 in the Jock River, Jockvale. This is around 150 kilometres from North Lancaster. He was aged only 17. He had been placed with Patrick Houlahan, a local farmer.
Claude, in the period 1913 and 1914 up to the outbreak of the First World War, travelled to work in Trenton and St Catherine's, Canada. He returned to the North Lancaster Township in early 1915.
On 8 February 1915, Claude Nunney attended the Drill Hall, Alexandria, Glengarry County. He was one of the very first to enlist into the newly authorised regiment in Ottawa, the Ottawa Overseas Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), which was known as the 38th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He re-attested in Ottawa on the 8 March 1915. Nunney claimed to have been born in Dublin. Claude had no previous military service.
He was five foot six inches tall with blue eyes and red hair. The colour of his hair led him to be known by his fellow soldiers as "Red Nunney."
His brother Alfred Nunney was killed in action with the 44th CEF on 10 August 1918 in their attack on Fouquestcourt.
On 9 September 1918, Nunney was recommended by the British First Army for the award of the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the operations to capture the German fortified trenches forming the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Claude Nunney's wounds proved to be fatal, and he died on 18 September 1918. He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Claude Nunney was one of seven Canadian soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross for the successful attacks on the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Private Nunney was the mostly highly decorated other rank in the Canadian Army in the First World War, being the only Canadian soldier of the war to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Military Medal
On Sunday, 2 September, Claude Nunney's actions that led to him receiving the Victoria Cross were commemorated by the unveiling of a memorial paving stone in Alexandra Park, Hastings.
In attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, the Mayor of Hastings, the Chief of Staff of the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff, and Claude's Great Grand Nephew Tim Nunney.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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