Vickers Dunfee was born on 30 April 1861 at Hanover Square, London, the son of William Dunfee of 28 Queen Street, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, East Sussex. Educated at King's College School, he entered his father's business of William Dunfee & Co., wine and spirit merchants, before being appointed to a temporary commission on 6 September 1884 as Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteers. Witnessing steady promotion through the ranks, he was granted the Honorary rank of Colonel on 5 September 1903 and was awarded the Volunteer Decoration on 15 November 1904. Transferred to the 4th Volunteer Battalion, City of London Regiment, he retired on 1 November 1908 and likely put his energies into helping his wife Caroline raise their four sons. He also served from 1911-14 as the first Commandant of the City of London Police Reserve, organising the recruitment of 2000 Special Constables at a time of considerable national uncertainty. Source: Spink Saleroom London