Christopher Furness was born in London on 17th May 1912, the eldest son of The Honourable Marmaduke Furness (later the 1st Viscount Furness) and his first wife Ada "Daisy" (née Hogg) and was educated at Eton College.

In mid-May 1940, Christopher was aged 28 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards when, during the Battle of France, while he was commanding a Bren Gun Carrier platoon, the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The Citation reads:

“War Office, 7th February, 1946. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: — Lieutenant The Honourable Christopher FURNESS (53422), Welsh Guards. Lieutenant the Honourable C Furness was in command of the Carrier Platoon, Welsh Guards, during the period iyth-24th May, 1940, when his Battalion formed part of the garrison of Arras. During this time his Platoon was constantly patrolling in advance of or between the widely dispersed parts of the perimeter, and fought many local actions with the enemy Lieutenant Furness displayed the highest qualities of leadership and dash on all these occasions and imbued his command with a magnificent offensive spirit

During the evening of 23rd May, Lieutenant Furness was wounded when on patrol but he refused to be evacuated By this time the enemy, considerably reinforced, had encircled the town on three sides and withdrawal to Douai was ordered during the night of 23rd-24th May. Lieutenant Furness's Platoon, together with a small force of light tanks, were ordered to cover the withdrawal of the transport consisting of over 40 vehicles.

About 02 30 hours, 24th May, the enemy attacked on both sides of the town At one point the enemy advanced to the road along which the transport columns were withdrawing, bringing them under very heavy small arms and anti-tank gun fire. Thus the whole column was blocked and placed in serious jeopardy.

Immediately, Lieutenant Furness, appreciating the seriousness of the situation, and in spite of his wounds, decided to attack the enemy, who were located in a strongly entrenched position behind wire.

Lieutenant Furness advanced with three Garners, supported by the light tanks At once the enemy opened up with very heavy fire from small arms and anti-tank guns The light tanks were put out of action, but Lieutenant Furness continued to advance He reached the enemy position and circled it several times at close range, inflicting heavy losses All three Carriers were hit and most of their crews killed or wounded. His own Carrier was disabled and the driver and Bren gunner killed.

He then engaged the enemy in personal hand-to-hand combat until he was killed. His magnificent act of self sacrifice against hopeless odds, and when already wounded, made the enemy withdraw for the time being and enabled the large column of vehicles to get clear unmolested and covered the evacuation of some of the wounded of his own Carrier Platoon and the light tanks.” 

Curiously, Lieutenant, The Honourable Christopher Furness has no known grave and is, therefore, commemorated on the CWGC Dunkirk Memorial.