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Aug 7, 1883
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Born in Bolton,
England to James and Catherine Dent
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Nov 5, 1914
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Attested into
the 21st Battalion at Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59254 (temporary number 629)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs C Dickenson, sister, of Horwich Near Bolton,
Lancashire, England
o This was later changed to read Mr. J. Dent, father, of the same
address
Ø Previous occupation given as Labourer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø His religion was not recorded
Ø Assigned to “E” Company
o This was later reorganized into “C” Company
He was
originally declared to be unfit at his first medical exam because of bad teeth. Although not recorded in the file, repairs must
have been made, as he was subsequently declared to be fit for service
In January of
1915 he forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent.
In March of
1915 he was hospitalized in Kingston with a Venereal Disease.
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS
Metagama at Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked at
Devonport, England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent
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May 27, 1915
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Declared to be
AWL (Absent Without Leave)
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May 29, 1915
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Reported for
duty from being AWL and sentenced to 7 days detention and forfeited 3 day’s pay for
his absence
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St.
Seiriol at Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked at
Boulogne, France and proceeded to St Omer
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Sep 1, 1916
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Sentenced to 7
days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from parade and billets without leave. He also forfeited 1 day’s pay under a Royal
Warrant
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Sep 28, 1916
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During an attack
on the Regina Trench near Courcelette, Private Dent was wounded and admitted to the No. 4
CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a contusion (bruise) to his right leg. He was transferred to the Divisional Rest Station
at No. 4 CFA
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Oct 6, 1916
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Discharged to
duty from the rest station
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Dec 16, 1916
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Granted 10 days
leave
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Jan 17, 1917
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Shortly after
the Battalion carried out a large trench raid, an enemy artillery shell explosion killed
Private Dent.
Maroc British Cemetery
Grenay France
Private Dent is also honoured in the family plot in the St. James
Church Cemetery, Briercliffe, England. William's name is second from the bottom.
Following the war the 1914-15 Star,
British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to
Mr. Thomas Dent, brother, at 27 Whiston Rd., Higher Crumpsall, near Manchester, England
There was no Memorial Cross issued
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The above
information is taken from a partial file supplied by a family member, Joan Read. More details may be added when a complete file is
obtained.
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