Born in 1833 a short distance from north of this site, Alexander Dunn was educated at Upper Canada College and at Harrow, England. In 1853, he was commissioned Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars. A participant in the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on October 25, 1854, he saved the lives of two of his regiment by cutting down their Russian attackers, and thus became Canada's first winner of the newly created Victoria Cross. In 1858, Dunn helped to raise the 100th Royal Canadian Regiment, which he later commanded. In 1864, he transferred to the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment, and four years later, was accidentally killed while hunting in Abyssinia.

Location

In the park at Clarence Square and Spadina Avenue, near his birthplace, Toronto

Themes

• War and conflict