Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Harry Denton was born in Thornhill, Yorkshire on 10 December 1891, and was the eldest child of Arthur and Elizabeth Ann (nee Inness). In 1911, Harry (19), a school teacher, and his family were living at Belmont Terrace, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury.  Arthur (45) was a glass bottle sorter, Elizabeth (40), Bertha (17) a clerk at the Co-operative Society, Doris (15) a milliner, Hubert Arthur (10) and Clifford (7) were both at school.

Harry attested on 27 November 1915, and joined the 56^th Reserve Battery Royal Field Artillery and was mobilised on 28 December 1915.  He was 23 years of age and gave his address as Glenholme, 27 Slaithwaite Road, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury.  He embarked with the Expeditionary Force on 7 September 1916, arriving in Salonika on 19 September 1916.  He was appointed Lance Bombardier on 30 January 1918.  In October 1918, he contracted malaria and was sent back to England.  He was transferred to Class Z Army on 6 March 1919, giving his address as 23 Albion Street, Springfield, Dewsbury. Class Z enabled a servicemen to leave the service, but could be re-called if necessary.  http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm  Harry was awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

Harry passed through Peterborough East Station on 1 August 1916, whilst stationed at Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.  He wrote that it was the third time he had visited and commented “and right good grub it is too”.  This would have been about five weeks before he embarked for Salonika.

He married Ada Sponge (or Spouge) in 1923, at Glanford Brigg, Lincolnshire.  They had three children David (1925) born in Glanford Brigg, Marjorie (1927) and Shirley (1933) both born in Dewsbury.  In 1939, Harry and his family were living at 6 Insular Street, Leeds and his occupation was listed as a carpenter.  Harry died in Batley, Yorkshire on 10 January 1959, aged 67 years.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Harry and his family.