The son of Annie Dalloway and an unknown father, Dennis was born in Wolverhampton in 1919. On the 1939 register, Annie appears living at 16 Bullock Street in the home of Alexander J. Merrick. There is at least one entry in that household which is closed, which is possibly Dennis.
Dennis enlisted initially in the South Staffordshire Regiment, and later joined the 7th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (service number 4915690). Unfortunately he died on 25 May 1940. His next of kin are given as his mother, and his uncle, a Mr. J. H. Jenkins, of Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, which may give a clue to link to his father. He is buried in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery in Hautot-Sur-Mer, France.
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The research for this blog post was completed by remote digital volunteer, Ann Eales.
Two of Wolverhampton’s war memorials, commemorating the sacrifices made by local people, have been returned to their former glory.
The memorials, in Church Road, Pennfields, and at St Michael and All Angels Church in Tettenhall, were erected in memory of those who fought and died in conflict. Over the years they have suffered from wear and tear, with the Tettenhall memorial also sadly subjected to vandalism.
But members of the Bradmore War Memorial Fund and the Tettenhall War Memorial Committee have worked with the City of Wolverhampton Council to raise funds to repair and conserve the memorials for future generations.
The Pennfields, Bradmore and Merry Hill war memorial, situated within ornamental gardens opposite St Philips Church, is mounted on a plinth and features a granite soldier holding a rifle bayonet.
Restored War Memorial, St Philips ChurchBefore restoration (Thanks to HLF for photo)
Repair work included stabilising the plinth, mortar repairs, a recasting of the bayonet, installation of a tree root barrier, cleaning of the stonework and repainting the names of those who lost their lives. Works were carried out by Birmingham firm, William Parratt Masonry Ltd.
The Tettenhall war memorial, erected in 1920, is a red sandstone cross and shaft mounted on a plinth, with the names of the fallen from both the First and Second World Wars recorded on panels around it. The sandstone has eroded over the years, as well as being subject to vandalism, resulting in damage to both the cross and shaft.
Restored War Memorial, St Michael and All Angels Church, TettenhallMemorial before restoration. (Thanks to HLF for photo).
Repair work, undertaken by Cannock-based Croft Building and Conservation Ltd, has seen the sandstone cross replaced, the shaft reinstated with a faithful reproduction, stonework repaired and the memorial cleaned.
Funding for the work came from Grants for War Memorials scheme supported by Historic England, amounting to £6500 for the Pennfields, Bradmore and Merry Hill war memorial and £10450 for the Tettenhall one. The grants covered up to 75% of the cost, with the two groups carrying out fundraising activities to secure the rest.
As the scheme only pays grants on the satisfactory completion of the repair work, it was agreed that the City Council would act as the accountable body on behalf of the two groups, establishing £20,000 capital grants to fund each repair in advance and receiving the grants when the work is finished.
Mayor, Councillor Claire Darke said, “I am delighted to see these memorials restored, they are an important part of our city heritage. Thank you to all those who worked together to make this happen”.
Phil Robinson, from the Bradmore War Memorial Fund, said: “We are really pleased that the memorial has been repaired and that the names of the fallen have been repainted. Those names will mean something to many local families.
“As a group, we wanted to ensure that the statue provided a lasting legacy to commemorate those who gave their lives, as well as being something to help younger people learn about the sacrifices made by previous generations.”
“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported our fundraising, the general public, local groups and organisations and families whose ancestors are represented on the memorial.”
Frances Moreton, Director of the War Memorials Trust, said: “War memorials are a link between previous generations, ours and those who follow us. They enable us to pay tribute to the sacrifices of so many. War Memorials Trust is delighted to support this project and assist the community to improve the condition of the war memorial.
“If anyone knows of any other war memorials in need of help please contact the charity or, if you believe in the importance of our work, support us as the charity can only give further grants if it raises enough money.”
War Memorials Trust can be contacted on 020 7233 7356, 0300 123 0764, 07586 920 153 or [email protected]
Richard was born in Wolverhampton in 1897, the son of Charles Arthur and Elizabeth Annie Turner. In 1901, they were living at 100 Shaw Road, Wolverhampton. By 1911 they were at New Street, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, along with Richard’s younger brother, William Edward.
Richard enlisted in the 1st/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 3672). He first served in France from 5 March 1915. He was wounded, and unfortunately he died on 13 October 1915. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
James was born in Sedgley in about 1897, the son of Josiah and Sarah Ann Darby. In 1901, they were living at 14 Manor Road, Sedgley. By 1911, they were at Pinfold Lane, Merry Hill, Penn, and James had gained two siblings – Walter Jeavons and Mary Crossland.
James enlisted at Birmingham in the 1st/8th Territorial Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (service number 2881). He was killed in action on 1 July 1916. He is commemorated at the Thiepval memorial, as well as on the Bradley Memorial, and the memorial for Wolverhampton Higher Grade School.
Horace was born in Wolverhampton in 1897, the son of Edward B. and Elizabeth Cartwright. In 1901, they were living at 29 Owen Road, Wolverhampton, along with Horace’s siblings Catherine A., Sidney, William H., Gertrude, Bertram, Edward and Grace. By 1911, they were at Red House, Trysull Road, Merry Hill, and Horace had become an apprentice carpenter.
Horace’s name is listed on the Penn Road war memorial, so he served in the army during the First World War, but was not killed. I have not, however, been able to confirm further details of his military service. He appears to have married Gladys L. Sadler in 1923, but I could not find any records of any children.
Albert is listed on the Penn Road Wesleyan Chapel memorial as one of the local men who survived, but this appears not to have been the case.
Albert was born in Pattingham, Wolverhampton in 1889, the son of Edward and Hannah Thomason. They were living at Lower Penn in 1901, with Albert’s brothers John and Harry. By 1911, they were living at Merry Hill, Compton, along with Albert’s sister, Mary Jane. Albert was a farm labourer. At some point be worked for Mr F. Keay, of the Oxbarn Farm, Bradmore.
Albert enlisted with the 1st/6th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 3447). He took part in the “memorable attack with which Midland divisions were particularly identified”, but after throwing bombs for four hours, he was shot, and killed in action in France on 13 October 1915. Details of his death were included in the Midland Counties Express on 11 December 1915. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, as well as on the St Philip’s memorial in Penn.
Albert is listed on the 
Wolverhampton's War 