Tags
Bayliss Jones & Bayliss, Brunswick Street, Express & Star, Jack Dench, Union Street, Worcester, Worcestershire Regiment
Jack Dench was born in about 1889, apparently in Wolverhampton according to the 1901 census, although I have been unable to confirm this. Presumably he is down as “James” or “John” in his birth registration. He was the son of Alfred and Sophia Dench and in 1901 the family were living at 37 Union Street. Jack and his parents were joined by his brothers Charlie, George and William, and sister Polly. As an adult, he worked at Bayliss, Jones and Bayliss. He married Nellie Ballinger in 1913 in Worcester. The couple had a daughter, Eva, later that year.
In about 1908, he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (number 11170), and he went to the Western Front in April 1915. On 16 June 1915, he was killed in action, having been “struck by a shell” according to an Express & Star article dated 24 June 1915. In a letter to Dench’s wife, Company Sergeant-major A. C. Potter, of the 1st Gordon Highlanders, said that her husband appeared to have been “hit with a shell in the back, and to have died a painless death.” Her address was given as 11 Quay Street, Worcester, with Dench’s mother now living at 13 Brunswick Street, Wolverhampton. Dench is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Wolverhampton's War 
Many, many thanks Heidi! And the photo of Jack Dench is the icing on the cake. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the actual newspaper article mentioned? Also, although we know about his name appearing on the Menin Gate memorial, we have also been trying to find his actual headstone. Is there anyone we could contact to find out if it exists or not? Thank you once again, Simon and Jackie Lawden