Born Edwin George Arnold Denty at Maiden Newton, Dorset in 1883, George was the illegitimate son of 16 year old Alice Edith Denty who had been working as a domestic servant at Portsmouth, Hampshire. George was raised at Maiden Newton by his grandparents, Edward Denty and Ann Arnold Cornick with whom he was living in 1891. His mother having married Charles Morris at Maiden Newton on February 11, 1888 and was living at Sandhills, Cattistock, Dorset with her husband and their two young children.
On July 2, 1900 at Kinsale, Ireland, at the age of 18 years and 2 month, labourer, George Denty signed his Attestation papers with the Dorset Regiment. George’s presence in Ireland may be explained by his declaration that he belonged to the ’3rd Dorset Regiment in which I am still serving’, although his service is only calculated from this date. At his medical examination George is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 116 lbs. with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
After almost two years of home service George is posted overseas on June 2, 1902 to take part in the South Africa Campaign, almost certainly unaware that it was actually over a few days earlier. After just four months, including the time to travel from England, the regiment was posted to India on October 1, 1902, where he was to spend the next five years.
Whilst stationed in India, George took the opportunity to improve his education and on October 3, 1904 he obtained a 3rd class Certificate of Education. He also managed to pass a mounted infantry instruction class at Ambala on March 30, 1905. On February 29, 1908 George arrived back in England where he was to spend the remainder of his military career.
It is not clear from the records I have but it would appear that from about 1910 he was in the reserves. With the outbreak of war he was mobilized on August 5, 1914 and posted to the Regimental Depot at Dorchester. On September 13, 1914 he was appointed Lance Corporal.
On December 27, 1914, George Denty married Caroline Russell at the Registrars Office in Pontypridd, South Wales. Not only did he have a new wife but also, an instant family, becoming father to Caroline’s 5 year old illegitimate son Frank.
For reasons unknown, on November 4, 1915 George forfeited his Lance Corporal’s stripe, getting it back on May 1, 1916. George was discharged from the army as ‘No longer physically fit for war service’ on July 27, 1916 after a total of 16 years 25 days of service. Although this should probably have been 27 days as it would appear that 1 day was deducted for leap year 1908 rather than credited.
At this time I have no information on what became of George or his family after 1916 and would welcome any information on them.
© Brian Tompkins 2007
Anne PICKETTS said,
December 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Brian – I was very interested in your web page on George DENTY – he is my 2nd cousin once removed and was the great nephew of my grandmother Julia DENTY who came to NZ in 1877. I have him listed as Edwin George DENTY. Free BMD has Charles MORRIS listed as NORRIS – do you know which is correct. What is your connection with the DENTY family?
Doug.Morgan said,
December 7, 2007 at 3:21 am
George Denty was my grandfather I have a lot of the information you require from in 1916 Please e mail me
lawrence denty said,
September 26, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I am intrested in information of Frank C Denty who was my father . He was born in Genoa [Genova Italy] 1865-1870 .
lawrence said,
January 15, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I am intrested in any information about frank c denty he was my father also. i do not have any info. on any of my relatives. I believe garland would have been a son also.