Hugh Oliver Dennis
 

Nov 24, 1890

Born in Cobourg, Ontario to Hugh Cochrane and Jessie (nee Clark) Dennis

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Rank of Lieutenant

Ø      Next of kin given as Gladys Dennis, wife, Cobourg, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Gentleman

Ø      Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 40th Regiment and 2 years in the 3rd Hussars

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company

o       By February of 1915 he had been reassigned to the Transport Section 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

Feb 10, 1915

Granted 5 days leave

 

Mar 31, 1915

Lieut Dennis embarked for England with the Transport Section’s wagons and horses. 

 

May 15, 1915

The remainder of the battalion arrived in England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp

 

May 24, 1915

Proceeded on the Colt Machine Gun Course

 

Jun 5, 1915

Qualified as Colt Machine Gunner and rejoined the battalion

 

Jun 10, 1915

Attended the Officer’s Course at the Queen’s Hotel, Scarborough, northern England

 

Aug 19, 1915

Appointed to position of Platoon Commander in “B” Company

 

Sep 14, 1915

The 21st Battalion embarked for France in Folkestone, but Lieutenant Dennis remained behind.  There is no explanation for this in his file

 

Sep 25, 1915

Posted to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 

Jan 10, 1916

Posted to the 21st Battalion

 

Jan 11, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Jan 13, 1916

Left the CBD and joined the 21st Battalion in the N & O trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

Jun 13, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza.  He was transferred the same day to the Divisional Rest Station at Mont des Cats, France

 

Jun 19, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

 

Jun 29, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia and transferred the same day to the rest station at Mont des Cats

 

Jun 30, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and from there was transported and admitted to the No. 7 Stationary Hospital

 

Jul 2, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. George

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 4th London General Hospital

Posted to the Canadian Training Division Headquarters for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Jul 4, 1916

Discharged from hospital to be treated as an outpatient

 

Jul 8, 1916

Granted leave to return to Canada until January 8, 1917 to recuperate from his illness

 

Jul 12, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic for Canada at his own expense.

 

Jul 18, 1916

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Cobourg, Ontario

 

Dec 11, 1916

Reported to Kingston, Ontario Hospital for treatment of his symptoms.  He tested positive for Tuberculosis and it was determined that there was no space in Kingston for treatment and he was transferred to the Laurentian Sanitarium in St. Agathe, Quebec

 

Jan 8, 1917

Retained in Canada as medically unfit for further service

 

Mar 9, 1917

Discharged from the Laurentian Sanitarium and returned to Cobourg to convalesce

 

Aug 15, 1917

Admitted to the St. Chad’s Convalescent Home in Regina Saskatchewan to be treated as an outpatient

 

Nov 30, 1917

According to his Last Pay Certificate filed in Regina, he was discharged from the CEF on this date.  In addition, the WSG (War Service Gratuity) was paid effective on this date.  However, there are no discharge papers in his file to indicate the details of his discharge

 

Nov 4, 1918

Lieutenant Dennis died of Influenza and Pneumonia, complicated by Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Lashburn, Saskatchewan.  He was buried in the Lashburn Cemetery.

Following the war he was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, but these medals were not issued as neither his wife, nor any other family member could be located.

 

2008

During the Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week leading up to November 11.  This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England.  The photo below shows the name of Lt Hugh Oliver Dennis being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact