Dennis Leo Naylor
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Dennis Leo Naylor was born February 12th 1890 in Worksop. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Dennis and Eliza Naylor. Dennis senior was an engineering fitter living at 41 Sandy Lane, Worksop in 1891. Their 4th child, Dora was born in 1893. As the family grew up and became of working age, Frederick went to Sheffield and became a police constable, Ethel became a school teacher, Dora a student at training college and Dennis became a bricklayer. By 1911 the family home was 9 Overend Road, Worksop. In 1912, Dennis went to Canada and was there when war broke out
Went to Canada and enlisted in B company 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment). He was killed by enemy shell fire during an assault made by his battalion on Swischen Stellung trench during the Vimy Ridge operations and is commemorated in the Bois Carre British Cemetery, 4 miles north North East of Arras, France. Pte Dennis L Naylor Worksop Guardian 27 April 1917 His friends will hear with regret of the death in action of Pte D L Naylor of the 1st Canadian Battalion. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs D Naylor of Overend Road, Worksop, and his boyhood he attended the Wesleyan School and after was engaged in the building trade. When war broke out he was in Canada with his friend, Pte Harry Cooper of Anston Cottages, Sandy Lane, Worksop. Just over two years ago they both enlisted, and after a few months training came to England. In October 1915 they were drafted to France where they have taken part in much hard fighting. In a letter received from his friend, Pte Cooper gives an account of his death. “ I was talking to Dennis in a shell hole just in front of the German wire, whilst waiting for our barrage to lift before we took the trench. This was the last time I saw him alive. When we really moved I was called to take a live bomb from a man who was down, and so was a little distance apart when the shell came. I feel a little satisfaction that de didn’t have a lingering wound. I saw his grave and will tell you the place later, and if I can’t do so I think a record is kept of them. I think I never knew anyone so popular with the boys who had a great respect for him at all times. I think very few realise what Dennis and I were to each other. The boys sometimes made jokes to see us always together, for many of them called me by his name and gave him my name. I am writing home tonight and know they will be deeply grieved as I am, for they thought there was no one like him. It was too bad that he got to our objective and then fall. I dread to look to the future without Dennis for he was such a helpful sort and so cheery in all trials. Things never seemed very bad when we were together. I thought he was alright when we got so far.” Pte Naylor was one of the band of gallant young men who have conferred honour upon Worksop. We are very sure our readers will extend their sympathy to the parents and other relatives, who mourn his loss. By a co-incidence, his cousin, Lance-Corpl T Gasgoigne of Hodthorpe was killed on the same day
CWG additional information:- Son of Dennis and Eliza Naylor, of 9, Overend Rd., Worksop, Notts., England. Research by Colin Dannatt
