Dunn Street is named in honour of Colonel Alexander Roberts Dunn, VC who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Crimean War.
Alexander Dunn was born on September 15, 1833 in York (Toronto) Ontario, but later moved to England with his family. In March 1852, Dunn joined the British Army’s 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars. Dunn saw action during the Crimean War in which his brave actions were recognized with the Victoria Cross. He saved two comrades during the Charge of the Light Brigade on October 25, 1854.
Dunn was the first Canadian to receive this highest honour. Queen Victoria pinned his medal during a ceremony in 1857 at Hyde Park in London. By that time, Dunn had sold his commission, but rejoined the army in 1858 as a Major and helped establish the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment of Foot, a British unit raise in Canada, but stationed in Gibraltar. In 1864, he transferred again, this time to the 33rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in India, where he participated in the Abyssinian War before he was killed in a hunting accident near Senafe in 1868.
