 Son of Mr George and Mrs Annie Denton
Aged 19 years
Died 23rd September 1918
Commemorated at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
Grave IV. B.33.
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| Born at Rushden, enlisted at Kettering. |
Rushden Echo, September 20th, 1918, transcribed by Greville Watson
Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr and Mrs George Denton, of 19, Denmark-road, Rushden, have received an official telegram stating that their eldest son, 41047, Pte. George Denton, Royal Lancaster Regt., is dangerously ill at the 83rd General Hospital Boulogne, suffering from a gunshot wound in the face, and that permission to visit him cannot be granted. Mr and Mrs Denton have also received letters from the sister-in-charge and from the Wesleyan Chaplain. The former writes, under date August 14th: “I exceedingly regret to inform you that your son has been admitted into this hospital suffering from shell wound of face, and also concussion, from a fall probably. His condition at present is very serious, but I trust to be able to give you better news in a few days. There will be practically no disfigurement of the face when the wound heals up. He sends his love to you and says you are not to worry. Everything possible will be done for him here.” The Rev. Percival M. Després, C.F., writes under date August 15th: “I again this evening saw your son, Pte. G. Denton, who is in this hospital. He wished me to send along a little line to you. Doubtless you will have heard regularly from the sister of the ward where he is, and will know that he was severely wounded on August 7th in the face. I am sorry to say that his case is somewhat serious. He is getting along as well as possible, and is having special care and attention. In fact, he is in the very best hands possible, for he is in a ward specially set apart for face cases, where all the medical and surgical staff are experts at their work. So you can readily entrust him to them, and you must not be unduly worried and anxious about him. As his chaplain, it is my joy to visit him regularly and help to keep him cheerful and bright.” Pte. Denton is 19 years of age, and has been in France five months, having joined the Colours at the age of 18 in March last year. He was formerly in the employ of Mr Fred Knight, boot manufacturer, Rushden. |
Rushden Echo, September 27th, 1918
Rushden’s Casualty List
Last week we reported that Pte. George Denton, aged 19, eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Denton, of 19, Denmark-road, Rushden, was suffering from gunshot wound in the face and that he was dangerously ill. Yesterday, we are sorry to say, news reached Mr and Mrs Denton that the wounds had unhappily proved fatal and that their son had passed away. |
Rushden Echo, October 18th, 1918
Rushden’s Casualty List
Mr and Mrs George Denton, of 19, Denmark-road, Rushden, whose son, Pte. G. Denton, died of wounds, as previously reported in the “Rushden Echo”, have received the following letter from the Rev. P. M. Despres, Chaplain to the Forces : “You will doubtless have heard the sad news that your son, Pte. G. Denton, 41047, K.O.R.I., passed peacefully away at this hospital on September 23rd. I can assure you that everything possible was done for him whilst he was here. As his chaplain it was my joy to see him nearly every day and to do what I could to cheer him. This morning at 9.30 a small group of us gathered together at our Military Cemetery here where his body was laid peacefully and reverently to rest. From the beginning of the service right on to the final note of the bugle ‘Last Post’, everything was conducted in a way that would, I am sure, have met with your approval. Full military honours were awarded. As soon as possible the grave will be marked by a simple wooden cross standing in the midst of thousands of similar crosses reminding us that our heroes have laid down their lives for their friends. May the God of all consolation and all comfort be your stay during these dark hours! Your sorrow can be a proud sorrow, for your boy laid down his life in a noble cause; your faith can be a firm faith, for we do not mourn as those without hope, but can look forward to the day when we shall receive gladness and joy, and sorrowing and sighing shall flee for evermore. It is only ‘Good-night’, and soon the day must break when all shadows shall depart!” |
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