Category: Military
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment or Ship: The Mechanical Transport, A.S.C.
Service Number(s): MS/964
Occupation: Motor Driver (general)
Date of Birth: 1898
Place of Birth: Bexhill on Sea, Sussex
Date of Death: 27.01.1948
Place of Death: Ipswich, Suffolk
Place of Burial / Memorials:
Bexhill Cemetery BCA26
Address: 50 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: George William Dennett, b. 1855 in Sedlescombe, Sussex, d. 1935 in Bexhill, and Alice Dennett (nee Dear), b. 1865 in Woolston, Hampshire, d. 1945 in Bexhill. George and Alice were married in 1885 in South Stoneham, Hampshire.
Siblings:
Ethel Laura Dennett, b. 1887 in Bexhill.
William Alfred Harden Dennett, b. 1888 in Bexhill, d. 22.06.1915. W0131 DENNETT William
Bernard George Dennett, b. 1891 in Bexhill.
Alice Agnes Dennett, b. 1892 in Bexhill.
George Archibald Dennett, b. 1894 in Bexhill, d. 1945. W0258 DENNETT George Archibald
Frederick Dennett, b. 1903 in Bexhill, d. 1987 in Knebworth.
George William was a self-employed blacksmith and bought The Lamb Inn in Hooe some time after 1914.
Spouse: Harold married Ella M. Hunter in 1929 in Tynemouth, Northumberland.
First World War Experience
Harold enlisted at Eastbourne on 10th. August 1914 – lying about his age. He stated he was “20 years and 261 days” when he was, in actual fact, only 16. The enlisting officer confirmed his “apparent age” as being 20. Harold was 5’ 7½” tall, and weighed 125lbs. His chest measurement was 35” – when expanded 37”. He had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. His vision was 6/6 and he was seen to have a scar on his left knee. His physical development was good. He was a British subject and his religion was Church of England. He also stated that he had been vaccinated in infancy.
He gave his next of kin as: Father – George and brothers: William, Bernard, George, and Frederick. All at 50 Windsor Road.
On joining, references were taken up from his previous employer – Mr. Pulham of 27 Sackville Road, Motor Engineer, who stated “Very good motor driver on all makes of cars”. He failed to say that Harold was only 16 years of age!
Harold spent from 10.8.1914 until 22.9.1914 at Avonmouth – presumably under training – and then was posted to the Expeditionary Forces until 5th July 1916. He had a spell of nearly a year in the UK before again going off to France until 21 May 1919. After almost a month at ‘home’ he was finally demobbed on 19th June 1919.
He was awarded the “1st Good Conduct Badge” on 18th June 1917. During his service Harold was appointed Acting L/Cpl (without pay) – 19th June 1916 – and again on 26th September 1917 was appointed Acting Corporal (without pay). However, on 1st October 1918 he was promoted to Sergeant.
On 15th August 1916 Harold obviously went AWOL – “Absent off extension of post from Monday 15.8.11916 – Tuesday 16.8.1916”. A Corporal Creigh witnessed his absence and the punishment was five days confined to barracks with a fine of one days pay.
During 1917 Harold had a spell in the Military Hospital with a soft chancre – the primary point of infection of syphilis. He was in hospital for 17 days – from 15th August until 31st August. In 1919 (4.2 until 22.3) Harold had another spell in hospital – no diagnosis was given this time.
Harold was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 14 Star.
When he died his probate records show that he left an estate of £9,143.3s.2d.