Dennis was born in Teddington, Middlesex on July 10th 1932, and had a sister: Phyllis and brothers: Graham and Colin, his family moving to Fulham, London shortly afterwards. He attended Lilley Road School from the age of three and recalled walking to school on his own, quite happily and safely.

Later he remembered watching Searchlight batteries train in the skies, in preparation for what was to come, and he recalled ex-servicemen (WWI) in groups (many injured and affected by gassing) playing musical instruments or individuals playing Barrel-Organs in the streets seeking charitable donations.

In 1939, Dennis moved to St Albans with his family and whilst living there at age seven, he recalled listening to Chamberlain’s declaration of war on the radio and his father’s explanation of what war might mean for the family. At age eleven, Dennis qualified for a scholarship at St. Albans County Grammar School in the war years of 1943/8. It was a struggle for his parents to provide for all three children and his father repaired their shoes and their home, furniture and bicycles; there was nothing that he could not do. Holidays were a luxury they could not afford and Dennis’ first venture was from St. Albans to Holyhead, Wales by bike (520 miles return) sleeping in tents (that his father had made). Dennis recalled having no central heating, no electricity, just gas lighting, a coal heated copper for the weekly laundry (and afterwards the weekly bath) and his mother operating a massive and clumsy mangle, with her recovering frozen sheets and clothing from the outdoor clothes line.

Every year icicles hung from external gutters and his father with a blow torch would defrost frozen pipes, taps and toilets, burst pipes being all to frequent. Food rationing affected them quite badly, and Dennis recalled the hunger that became worse towards the end of the war when bread was first rationed. However, he did have happy memories of some food: loving tinned pilchards, dried egg powder and Spam and the resultant omelettes.

Dennis did well at school and joined the local Army Cadet Force (ACF) unit, rapidly moving through the ranks to Company Sergeant Major, as his sons and grandson did 70 years on. One outstanding memory Dennis had was of his first ACF camp (somewhere near Brighton), it was staffed by German Prisoners of War and working with them impressed Dennis and overcame his universal hatred of Germans and Germany that had been instilled in the majority of English people at this time.

Dennis left school at age 16 and became an apprentice in the composing room at the local newspaper, the Hert’s Advertiser, but the call of the army was too great and he left printing to join the East Surrey Regiment. In September 1951, at age 19, he was dispatched to the Royal Norfolk regiment ready to serve in Korea, arriving after six weeks at sea on the HM Empire Orwell and being promoted to Corporal during the journey.

On return to the barracks in Colchester after the war, Dennis was seconded as a Sergeant instructor to the Eaton Hall Office Cadet School and then as Instructor at the Battle Training Unit in North Wales. He left the army in 1957, his discharge purchase £200 and discharge status Exemplary.

Dennis joined the London Fire Service in 1957, liking the fact that all operational ranks were filled by either ex-servicemen or war time members, and promotion was achieved through merit. As a fire-fighter until 1962, he attended many incidents including a “40 Pump” fire in Smithfield Meat Market’s sub, sub- basement (where two firemen were lost).

In February 1958, his friend Don Haymes suggested he come back to his flat and meet the two girls living next door. One of whom, (Pat) he went on to marry that December. They first lived in a flat in Balham (above a car show room), and then in a Fire Station “Married Quarters,” moving to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade.

Four years later (1962), transferees from London Fire Brigade were provided with housing (paid for by the London County Council) and with a growing family to consider, this was a significant incentive. He embarked upon the pursuit of promotion in the Fire Service and went through the ranks culminating in appointment to the positions of Deputy Chief of the Isle of Wight, then on to Wiltshire and London Fire Brigades (also as Deputy Chief) culminating eventually as Chief Officer of Merseyside’s Fire and Rescue Service.

He retired in 1988, making the Honours List for the third time: 1949 New Year’s Honours: – Army Cadet Force, Certificate of Good Service. 1980 New Year’s Honours: – The Queen’s Medal for “Distinguished Fire Service” (QFSM.). 1988 Birthday Honours: – Commander of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire. (CBE.) In 1989, wishing to contribute to the wellbeing of his community, Dennis stood for election, as a Conservative in the District (Kennet) Council then as a Wiltshire County Councillor.

He continued to win seven elections and was a member of Kennet District Council for 20 years, the Chairman of The Wiltshire and Swindon Combined Fire Authority (ten years) and a Member of Wiltshire County Council (20 years). Within this period, he held the office of Chairman of Wiltshire County Council and the first Chairman of the South West Fire Services Regional Management Board, also serving on national bodies such as: National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades and Principal Officers, IPDS (modernisation) Project Board: National Representative of The Local Government Association (LGA, Fire Control Project Board (National Representative for LGA), Fire Modernisation Task group (National body within LGA) • Founder member of LGA’s Regional Management Board Chairmen’s Group.

At the age of 80, he remained a member of: The Veteran’s Advisory and Pensions Association, The Royal Norfolk Regimental Association, The Devizes based “Wyvern Club” (Previously the TA. Club) • The British Korean Veteran’s Association • Chairman/President of Devizes Conservative Club, Chairman/President Potterne Social Club, Chairman/Vice President Potterne branch of The RBL, President of The Wiltshire Retired (Fire-fighter’s) Member’s Association, A Member of the London and of the Merseyside Retired Fire Fighter’s Associations.

Dennis was married to Pat for 64 years and they have three sons, three granddaughters and four grandsons. He wished for nothing more than an opportunity during his life to continue working effectively and leave, in his words, “a worthy inheritance that can be enjoyed and appreciated by all.”

Nicky Willmott