Dean was 40 years old and a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 and 23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, after Intrepid and Iphigenia had been scuttled, their crews were taken off by Motor Launch 282 commanded by Lieutenant Dean.

He embarked more than 100 officers and men under constant and deadly fire from heavy and machine-guns at point blank range.

He was chairman of the Moelferna and Dee Side Slate and Slab Quarries Company in Wales between the wars.

Dean's VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.