Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Sergeant-Major Instructor John Denning, Royal Canadian Regiment, late Somerset Light Infantry

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (2280 Lce. Corpl., 1st Bn. Som. Lt. Infy.); Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (S.M.I. (W.O.), R.C.R.); Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (479161 S.M. (W.O. Cl.1) J. Denning) ring suspension, this in case of issue, good very fine (2) £220-260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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John Denning was born in Shepton Mallett, Somerset on 10 December 1870. A Labourer by occupation and a member of the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (2nd Somerset Militia), he attested for service in the Somerset Light Infantry at Taunton on 28 April 1888, aged 18 years. With the 1st Battalion he served in India, January 1891-February 1902, taking part in the Mohmand Expedition 1897 for which he was awarded the I.G.S. Medal with Punjab Frontier clasp. After service in South Africa, February 1902-April 1903, he returned home and was discharged having attained the rank of Sergeant on 8 September 1903. A few weeks later, in October 1903, he rejoined the Army and was attested on 13 October for the Royal Garrison Regiment. With them he served at Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 1903-October 1905. Having been discharged from the R.G.R. in October 1905, he then enlisted into the Royal Canadian Regiment at Halifax on 16 October 1906. During the Great War he was an Instructor at the Base Depot of the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1918 and was discharged on demobilization at Halifax on 31 October 1919. As his service in the war was confined to Canada, he did not qualify for any medals for that service. In the rank of Sergeant-Major Instructor, Denning was awarded the Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1918. This was published in G.O. 76 of May 1918. William Denning died in Halifax on 24 May 1941. His widow, Annie Catherine, was sent a Memorial Cross on 25 May 1942. Sold with copied service, discharge, and other papers including an obituary in The Halifax Chronicle.