John William Dennett
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John William Dennett was born in 1893 at Warsop and was the son of the late William a coal miner hewer and Mary Ann Dennett née Oates of 118 Sherwood Street, Warsop. His father William was born in 1857 at Cuckney, he died in 1919 aged 62 yrs, his mother Mary Ann Oates was born in 1863 at Bourne, Lincolnshire, they were married in 1890 their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield registration district. they went on to have the following children Ethel b1891 Langwith, John William b1893 Warsop, Nellie b1896 Warsop (she died in 1906 aged 10 yrs) George b1899 Warsop, Edith b1902 Warsop and Frederick Thomas b1906 Warsop. In the 1911 census the family are living at 118 Sherwood Street, Warsop and are shown as William 53 yrs a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Mary Ann Oates 47 yrs and their children, George 12 yrs a scholar, Edith 9 yrs a scholar and Fred 5 yrs of age. In the same 1911 census we find that John William has left the family home, he is living at Oaks Farm, Clowne, Chesterfield, he is shown as being 17 yrs of age, single and a second waggoner on a farm, he is living with Ambrose Franks 34 yrs a farm labourer and his family.
Driver John William Dennett enlisted at Birkenhead whilst he was residing at Higher Bebbington, he served with the 440th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He died following a fall from a horse while under training and dying of tuberculosis and meningitis at 1st East General Hospital at Cambridge. He is buried in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul, Church Warsop.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 17 June 1915: Military Funeral at Warsop. John William Dennett of 110 Sherwood Street, Warsop. John died after falling from his horse whilst training. He was kicked and suffered spinal injuries. Entry 23 June 1915, Warsop Stavely infant School log: 'Mr Holland will leave school this afternoon in order to be present at the funeral of Pte W Dennett.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref SL 179, 6/1) The discrepancy in the date in the school log and of the article in the Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser (17 June) might be explained by the article giving advance notice of the date of the funeral. Article published 25th June 1915 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “MILITARY FUNERAL AT WARSOP. “On Wednesday afternoon [23rd June 1915] the funeral of the late Private John William Dennett, son of Mr. William Dennett, of 110, Sherwood-street, Warsop, took place at the Parish Church, in the presence of a large concourse of people. Some months ago the deceased young man — 22 years of age — joined the Cheshire Royal Field Artillery, [sic] and during training had the misfortune to fall from his horse, and sustained very serious injuries to his ribs and spine, having been badly kicked by the horse. He was removed to the hospital, and despite every attention and medical skill he succumbed to his injuries, death taking place in Cambridge Military Hospital, on Sunday last. [19th June 1915] “The principal mourners his father and mother, sisters and brothers, and a number of members of the Warsop Bible Class attended. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and six members of the 21st Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, in camp at Clipstone, were the bearers. “The deceased as a boy was a member of the Parish Church choir, and a full surpliced choir attended. The mortal remains were rested in the chancel during the service in church. Psalm 39, was chanted, and hymn “On the Resurrection Morning,” was sung. The Rector (the Rev. R. J. King) who conducted the last sad rites, addressing the congregation and referred to the respect in which the deceased was held by all who knew him. He was once a choir boy, and a member of the Bible Class, and was generally respected. It was but six weeks ago, proceeded the Rector since deceased came to that church to worship God, and now he was gone. Willie Dennett gave himself to what he thought to be his duty as soon as the call came. He was no shirker or slacker. It could be truly said of him, “Here lies one who tried to do his duty.” He was gone where duty would be amply rewarded. After the committal sentences were offered at the grave side, the hymn “There is a Blessed Home,” was sung, and the Benediction followed. “A firing party of the 21st Battalion Royal Fusiliers fired three volleys over the grave, and the “Last Post” was sounded. “Amongst the wreaths was a very beautiful one which bore the following inscription: “With sympathy from the Officers and N.C.O.S. and Men from the 3/1st Cheshire Field Company, R.E.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
