Major Henry Denison DENISON-PENDER DSO MC
A Squadron, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) and General Staff

Date of birth: 2nd April 1884
Date of death: 16th February 1967

Died aged 82
Unknown
Henry "Harry" Denison Denison-Pender was born at 51 Hans Place, Chelsea on the 2nd of April 1884 the second son of Sir John Denison Denison-Pender CBE KCMG JP and Lady Beatrice Katherine (nee Ellison) Denison-Pender of 69 Elizabeth Street, Westminster in London.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1896 where he was a member of the Football XI in 1895. The school magazine wrote the following on his season that year: - "Inside left, one of the most dashing and sturdy little players we have had, but no sort of shot. Ought to make a rare player with years of discretion."

He was a member of the Cricket XI in 1896 when the school magazine described his season: - "A fast and neat little cover point; not a safe catch, but always likely to bring off a brilliant one. Has not had time to develop whatever batting talent he may possess."

When he left the school the magazine wrote: - "....will do us credit at Eton in work and play. He goes nearly two years too young, and has lost a term through illness; so he will have plenty of time to make his mark, probably in the football field. We should be inclined to back him to make a first rate oar if he takes to the river."

He went on to Eton College where he was in H. Macnaghten's and H.W. Mozley's houses leaving in 1902.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Scottish Horse, Imperial Yeomanry on the 29th of October 1904 and successfully passed the examination for a commission in the regular forces in early 1907 after which he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 15th Hussars on the 29th of May 1907. He transferred to the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Grays) on the 15th of June 1907 and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 10th of April 1911. He was seconded for service at the Scottish Cavalry Depot at Dunbar on the 28th of May 1913 and served there until the 2nd of August 1913 when he resigned his commission and retired from the army.

Following the outbreak of war he rejoined the 2nd Dragoon Guards and was re-appointed as a Lieutenant on the 23rd of August 1914. He went to France with his regiment on the 17th of August 1914 as part of A Squadron, landing at Le Havre. He left France in November and was promoted to Temporary Captain on the 15th of November 1914. He was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches of the 14th of January 1915 and was awarded the Military Cross on the 18th of February 1915. He was promoted to Captain on the 23rd of April 1915.
He returned to France in May 1915 and served there until March 1918.

On the 6th of December 1915 he was appointed to the General Staff as a General Staff Officer Grade 3 serving with the 6th Division and on the 25th of Jun 1916 was seconded to the 2nd Division as Brigade Major for the 6th Infantry Brigade being promoted Brevet Major on the 31st of December 1916. He was promoted to General Staff Officer Grade 2 on the 6th of July 1917 for service with 33rd Division and to Major on the 1st of November 1917. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatches of the 7th of November 1917 as well as on two further occasions being the 15th of February 1915 and on the 21st of December 1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the New Year's Honours list of the 1st of January 1918 and was appointed to the staff of 51st Division on the 14th of January 1919. He retired from the army, returning to the reserve on the 2nd of July 1919.

From 1921 to 1959 he was a director of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company Ltd. He lived at "Strangeways", Marnhull in Dorset and became a Justice of the Peace in 1929. He was High Sherriff of Dorsetshire in 1935 and worked as a dairy farmer.

During the Second World War he was employed as Deputy Chief Telegraph Censor at the Central Telegraph Office from 1939 to 1942, for which he was awarded the OBE.

He was also Chairman of the Sturminster Rural District Council from 1949 to 1953, a Member of Council of the Bath and West Agricultural Society from 1929 to 1950, a Member of Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, from 1943 to 1953, President of the Yeovil Agricultural Society from 1936 to 1937, Life Honorary Member of the Hunters Improvement and Light Horse Breeding Society in 1953 and was Master of the Portman Hunt. He enjoyed hunting, cricket and golf and was a member of both the Cavalry Club and Boodles.

He was married at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge to Doris Louise Sydney (nee Fisher) on the 21st of January 1913; they had three daughters, Pamela Beatrice Rose, born on the 28th of February 1921, Barbara, born on the 15th of November 1915 and Cynthia Sydney, born on the 28th of February 1921.

In later life he lived at "Hartletts", Hook in Hampshire.
Went on to Eton College

Back