During the afternoon of the 10th the new arrivals were badly shelled and also much annoyed by the attention of the German snipers, a corporal of the King's Royal Rifles, named Cordingley, being shot dead by one of these gentry, while Lieut Dimmer had two narrow escapes, the bullet on each occasion passing through his cap. On the 11th they were shelled all day, the bombardment being particularly severe in the afternoon. On the 12th, on which day the enemy began a series of attacks on the Klein Zillebeke positions, and along the whole of our line towards Messines, all was quiet until noon, when the German artillery started a violent bombardment of the 'Green Jackets' trenches. This continued for about half an hour, when it slackened, and the enemy's machine-guns began to pour a torrent of bullets through the gaps in the British parapet made by their artillery fire. Then at 1 p.m., the Prussian Guard, in mass formation, advanced from the wood, the men marching shoulder to shoulder in perfect order, as though they were on parade. At once the British machine-guns began to spit death amongst them, Lieut Dimmer firing one of the guns himself, and the storm of bullets tore through their serried ranks, mowing them down as corn falls before the sickle. But still they came on, and presently the Lieutenant's gun jammed, owing to the belt getting wet. In a moment he had climbed onto the emplacement, a large adjustable spanner in his hand, and got the deadly weapon again in working order; but as he did so, a rifle bullet struck him in the right jaw. Heedless of the pain, he began to pour a fresh stream of lead into the advancing masses, but he had not fired many rounds when the gun stuck when traversing. Reaching up to rememdy the stoppage, he was again hit by a rifle bullet, this time in the right shoulder. But he got his gun going again for all that, and before the blast of death the Huns fell in swathes. Then a shrapnel shell burst above him and he was hit for the third time, three bullets lodging in his injured shoulder. But, with the blood streaming from his wounds, the heroic officer went on firing his gun, until, when within fifty yards of our trenches, the Germans suddenly broke and ran for cover. Their artillery covered their retreat with a rain of shrapnel, and Lieut Dimmer's gun was hit and destroyed, and his face splattered with splinters of broken metal. Exhausted with pain and loss of blood, he lost consciousness for a time, but on coming to, insisted on proceeding to Brigade Headquarters, to report in person to the Earl of Cavan, commanding the 4th (Guards) Brigade. Scarcely, however, had he made his report when his strength gave out, and he collapsed and was taken to the dressing station. Happily, this most gallant officer, whose magnificent courage and tenacity were recognised by the award of the Victoria Cross, has since made a complete recovery, and after being attached for a time to the 6th Battn King's Royal Rifle Corps at Sheerness, he was sent to Serbia." He was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette, 1 January 1915) (New Year's Honours List). Was given the command of a battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regt. in October 1917. Twice mentioned in Despatches. Gained Observer's Wing while in Salonica, attached to the Flying Squadron. On 19 January 1918, at Moseley, Birningham, he married Dora, daughter of W. Bayley-Parker, Esq and of Mrs Bayley-Parker of the Oaklands, Moseley, Birmingham. He was killed on 21 March of the same year, leading his men into action.
Commemoration: 1. Headstone. 2 Name on Kingston Vale Memorial, Putney Vale, Surrey (Vandalised). 3. Name on King's Royal Rifle Corps Memorial, Winchester Cathedral. 4. Memorial at Civic Offices, Crown House, Morden Surrey.
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