John George Denby
Attended Broomhill School and worked at Sherwood Colliery until he joined the Leicestershire Regiment from about 193o/31 until 1938 and recalled to colours at the outbreak of war. Between his periods in the Army he worked for C J Vallance & Sons (Builders).
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Arthur and Elizabeth Denby of 112 Brownlow Road, Mansfield.
Siblings: James, 1899, Elizabeth, 1900, Beatrice, 1903, Arthur 1905, Charles, 1907, and twins William and Samuel in 1914.
Enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment on 4/2/1931 and was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 9/1/1934. He was serving with the 2nd Bn on 1st September 1939.
Served in Northern Ireland, England, Palestine, Egypt and Syria.
Awarded the Military Medal for gallantry as a anti tank gun N.C.O. at Sidi Barrani, Libya on 10/12/1940.
M.M. Citation:
maintained his gun in action under heavy MG fire and gun fire over open sights. His leadership and bearing were an inspiration to his detachment. Later he got his gun out of action, loaded it onto his vehicle still under fire and moved across the front to assist 'A' company in their attack. Here again he kept his gun in action under heavy and well directed MG fire. He was an example to his detachment throughout the day.
Mansfield Chronicle advertiser: 25/7/1941: Mansfield Soldier Killed in East Recently Awarded Distinquished Conduct Medal.
Serving in Palestine and Syria within two hours of receiveng his last letter in which he stated he was in excellent health the parents of Sgt John George Denby received a telegram conveying the sad news that he ha been killed in action.
29 years of age he was the son of Mr & Mrs Arthur Denby of 26 Argyle Street, Mansfield and had served in the forces for a number of years as a regular soldier.
On leaving Broomhill School he worked for a time at Sherwood Colliery but later joined the leicestershire Regiment and served for 7 years , principally in Ireland.
Awarded medal
On being placed on the reserved list about 18 months before the outbrak of the war he was employed by messrs C J Vallance & Sons and was called up in September 1939 and drafted to palestine where he remainedsince then until the fighting started in Syria. He was well thought of by his superior officers and in May last was awarded the DCM although details of the action which gained this award are not yet known to his parents as he himself has never mentioned it.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 19/3/1942: Received Son's Award.
Mr & Mrs Arthur Denby of 26 Argyle Street, Mansfield yesterday attended an investiture in London to receive the DCM won by their son, John George Denby who was 31 and was afterwrds killed in the Middle East.
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