Lieutenant John Humphrey DENSHAM MC MM
C Squadron, 1st/1st The Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment)
4th Bn, The Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) attached
10th Bn, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
By Robert Simpson
John Humphrey Densham in uniform, newly commissioned into the Royal West Kent Regiment.
John Humphrey Densham was born on 1 March 1894 in Croydon Surrey England, a son to John Lane Densham and Marion Emilia Olivia Costine. He was one of fourteen children they had. John Lane Densham had been born on 17 May 1853 in Plympton St Mary, Devon, England and Marion had been born on 5 January 1857 in Bagshot, Surrey, England. They were married on 17 October 1878 in St Peter’s Church, Croydon, Surrey, England. The church register shows John was 25 years old, a bachelor and a Tea Merchant, living at Hurst Road. His Father, John Boon Densham, was also a Tea Merchant. Marion was a 21-year-old spinster, living at Bramley Hill and her father, Barry Alexander Boyd Costin (as spelt in that record) was a Gentleman. In the 1881 census they were living at 7 Cannon Place Brighton, with John Boon Densham listed as a Tea Dealer. By the 1891 census they had moved to Deanfield, 51 St Peter’s Road Croydon with John Lane Densham a wholesale tea dealer. They had eight children (with the baby of 1 month unnamed) and four servants and a nurse. In the 1893 electoral register, it shows John Lane Densham living at Dearfield (sic), St Peter’s Road Croydon. In the 1901 census all the children were living at 24 The Waldrons in Croydon. The parents were not listed in that census. The 1911 census shows the family living at Waldronhyrst, Croydon. They had five domestic servants. John Lane Densham was listed as father, aged 57, married for 32 years with 13 children born alive and 12 still living. He was listed as Chairman and Director of Mazawattee Tea Company. His wife and all the children were listed as living by private means, including John Humphrey, who was 17 years old. In 1911 John Lane Densham was involved in a discussion by the Weights and Measures Committee for the County of Fife which involved the weighing of tea in paper, with inspectors finding a deficiency in weight. John said that most people would no know what gross weight was, ‘but the inscription “Full weight of tea, including wrapper,” was worse, in his opinion. He considered to sell by gross weight was an immoral system.’ Mr and Mrs J Lane Densham, along with Mr P and Miss C Lane Densham returned to Southport on RMS Edinburgh Castle in 1st Class from Cape Town on 24 February 1914. His occupation was recorded as Chairman, with the others having no occupation. All intended to reside in England. The 1915 London Directory has him residing in The Waldrons at “Waldronhyrst”. John Lane Densham passed away on 13 February 1918 in Vogelfontein, Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Under the heading of Deaths in The News on 1 March 1918 was an entry for ‘DENSHAM. – On February 13th, at Boksburg, Transvaal, South Africa, John Lane Densham, late of Waldronhyrst, Croydon, aged 64.’ Probate of his will was granted to the executors on 17 July 1918 with a value of over £185000. The Scotsman of 7 September 1918 recorded under Wills and Estates an entry for Probates with Scottish Estate with the ‘following probates and letters of administration have been lodged in H.M. Commissary Office, Edinburgh, for resealing to make the effective to deal with estate in Scotland: – John Lane Densham , of Waldronhyrst, Croydon, Surrey …. £185,883.’ Marion also passed away in South Africa on 12 May 1919. She had been living at Becker Street Bellevue Johannesburg. Her effects were valued at over £14000.
The family was involved in setting up the Mazzawattee Tea Company. National Archives Australia in Canberra has a series of 5 different folders which list ‘Application for Trade Mark titled Mazawattee in respect of tea, coffee and cocoa – by Densham and Sons’ with dates from 1891 to 1905, which are open but not online. The following is an article on the company: – ‘An early PR coup for the Mazawattee Ceylon tea Company happened in March 1891 when tea buyer Alexander Jackson bid an astounding ten pounds twelve shillings and sixpence a pound (equivalent to around £950 per kg in 2012 terms) for an invoice of Ceylon Gartmore Estate Golden Tips brought to London on the clipper ship Cutty Sark. The Pall Mall Gazette called the price “unprecedented” but conceded that the tea possessed “extraordinary quality in liquor, and is composed almost entirely of small Golden Tips, and the preparation of such tea is, of course, most costly.” Reverberations to this story ran in the national press for weeks. Another innovative promotion was to use Mazawattee Ceylon Tea delivery vans pulled by teams of African zebras which, while undoubtedly traffic stoppers in London, had little geographical connection with Ceylon. Latterly the zebra vans were replaced by motorized tea packets crowned by a large silver tea pot on the roof – the smoking exhaust pipe diverted through the spout! As tea sales soared Mazawattee paid huge amounts in duty on imports. When Mazawattee made a record excise duty payment of £63,147 John Lane Densham turned this cost to profit by advertising the record and milking it for every ounce of free publicity. On 4 May 1898 the Daily Mail reported of Mazawattee: “They have filled the town with reverberant announcements about it; and pictorial representations about it confront one everywhere. If you get into a hansom, you find a cheque for £63,147 lying on your seat; if you ride in a bus, or tram, or penny steam boat, this sum haunts your gaze.” Subsequently the duty sum was often exceeded and always exploited – in 1900 it was claimed in The Graphic to be equivalent to the company selling 1,300,000,000 cups of tea! By 1894 Mazawattee had built a seven storey factory on Tower Hill to blend and pack tea and in 1901 opened a huge factory in New Cross that at its height employed 2,000 workers, not only packing tea but making and printing tins, and diversifying into cocoa and chocolate, spices, confectionary and cakes. John Lane Densham was in control during the halcyon years but ill health caused his stepping down in 1902 to travel abroad managing the company tea estates, arranging direct sales of tea to Russia, the USA and the British Colonies. During his absence the seeds of downfall were sown for Mazawattee. Dazzled by the lightning success of Joseph Lyons with his tea shops the new chairman Benjamin Densham was convinced that Mazawattee could follow suit – and did so in an unplanned frenzy that drained the company of capital – and caused panic among long established grocer customers suddenly confronted on their doorsteps by competing retailers of Mazawattee tea. John Lane returned to the Board, Benjamin was dismissed, and John continued until 1915. After World War I the tax on tea was increased and the market was sluggish; with John Lane gone the company declined, though its name was still a household word. Their cocoa sales dropped and the confectionary business was abandoned in 1936. World War II brought tea control with companies allocated a quota based on annual sales and little opportunity for marketing. Then, in 1940 the Luftwaffe destroyed any hope of Mazawattee surviving – the Tower Hill factory was bombed and demolished and a few weeks later the New Cross factory was obliterated. Brooke Bond co-packed the Mazawattee label until 1951 when tea control ended. The end of the dynasty came in 1953 when John Boon Densham’s grandson Joseph Alexander sold the few remaining assets and the Mazawattee name to the Excelsior Biscuit Company. Mazawattee tea continued to be co-packed and sold in economy stores like Woolworths until it quietly vanished in the early 1960s.
A sad end to a brand that had virtually shaped the British tea industry.’
As an aside, the company has been brought back – About us | Mazawattee Tea – Est. 1887 (mazawattee-tea.com)
The family portrait in 1898, from left: Minnie Rosalie (1885-1981), Cicely Amelia Lane (1893-1963), Margery Alice (1889-1951), Marion Evelyn (1879-1942), Amelia Cerf (1886-1978), Patrick Lane (1895-1984), Janet (1891-1974), Marion Emilia Oliva ne Costine (1857-1919), Stephen Hugh (1896-1917), John Lane (1853-1918), Olive Gertrude (1887-1971), Dorothy Ann (1881-1956), John Humphrey (1894-1967) and Joseph Alexander (1883-1960).
First born to John and Marion was Marion Evelyn Densham, born on 10 September 1875 in Purley Surrey. In the 1901 census Marion was listed as first and as a single daughter age 21. Marion married Frederick David Tryon in the first quarter of 1907 in Croydon. Frederick had been born around 1878 in West Deeping, Lincolnshire. In the 1911 census they were living at “Billifarm” Burcott Road Purley with Frederick a Departmental Manager to do with tea, coffee and cocoa and Marion was listed as ‘Chocolate & Confectionary Departments’ to do with their manufacture. They had been married for four years and had three children. The house also had three servants. On 15 January 1927 Frederick, who was living at 27 York Gardens Clifton, Bristol, embarked on American Trader for New York. He was a 49-year-old Traveller who intended to return to England. Returning in Cabin Class on Tuscania on 30 July 1928, Frederick, age 50, gave his occupation as Merchant and was returning to his address in Bristol. He passed away on 23 February 1929 at his home with probate to Marion on 27 March 1929 included effects of over £1300. Marion passed away on 24 April 1942 in Lincolnshire and was buried in Newport Cemetery in Plot E455, as shown below.
Dorothy Ann Densham was born on 30 July 1881 in Redhill, Surrey. At some stage she married Harold Lancelot Vavasour Durell. She returned on the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt at Southport on 3 April 1933 from Genoa via Algers, listed as Dorothy Ann Durell, age 51, of Whitelea Shootersway Berkhamstead Herts. Two children, Jean Vavasour Durell age 19 and Diana Vavasour Durell age 13 were with her. In the 1939 register she was recorded living at 14 Turner Close Hendon, a widow doing unpaid domestic duties with Stephen H V Durell, born 22 September 1916, a single student. She passed away on 25 May 1956 in Hendon, Middlesex. She was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Northchurch, Dacorum Borough, Hertfordshire. A note of the gravestone says ‘Widow of Harold Lancelot Vavasour Durell with whom she rests. They lost a son to WWII, Sgt Stephen Harold Vavasour Durell who is remembered on their grave.’ Sergeant Stephen Durell (1257744) of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 27 July 1941 when his Spitfire Ia X4662 from 131 Squadron crashed in the UK. He is buried at Catterick Cemetery, C. of E. Sec. Row M. Grave 20, as shown below.
Joseph Alexander Densham was born on 9 September 1883 in Redhill, Surrey. In the 1901 census Joseph was listed under Marion as single, age 17, and was a tea taster (wholesale). No one else of the family had an occupation. In the first quarter of 1914 he married Winifred Alice Easter (born 27 February 1890). He was a 30-year-old bachelor and a Director of a Public Company, living at Waldronhyrst Croydon. She was a 24-year-old spinster living at St Matthews Vicarage in Croydon. Her father was Arthur Easter, a Clerk in Holy Orders. The 1932 electoral register showed them living at 66 Park Hill Road Mitcham. In the 1939 register they were living at Stradella, Woodcote Avenue Beddington, with Joseph a Director of Public Company, Winifred doing unpaid domestic duties and two children; Winifred Jenny Densham (born 31 August 1918) a ‘Froebel Teacher’ (also noted on the side page was ‘W.V.S.’) and David Alexander Densham (born 14 June 1922) an ‘Auditors Articled Clerk’. Joseph arrived on the RMMV Warwick Castle at Southampton on 31 January 1948 from East London, South Africa. He was 64-years-old and his address was 18 Heath Drive Sutton, Surrey and his occupation was Managing Director. He passed away on 22 November 1960 in Sutton, London. Probate went to his widow Winifred with effects of over £69000. (Photos below)
Minnie Rosalie Densham was born on 8 February 1885 in Croydon, Surrey. In the 1932 London electoral register she was living at 86 Finchley Road, Priory Ward. By the 1936 phone book, she was listed at 80 Fairhazel Gardens, Maida Vale. In the 1939 electoral register she was a single female living at 343 Woodstock Road Oxford by her own means. The London electoral register of the same year also lists her at 6 New College Court Finchley Road. She was living at 14 Littleheath Road Selsdon in Surrey in the 1950 electoral register. Minnie passed away on 27 October 1961 at 40 Norton Road Hove Sussex with probate going to Humphrey Ashley Densham company director and Henrietta Maud Densham spinster, with effects of over £5000.
Amelia Cerf Densham was born on 3 April 1886 in Croydon Surrey. By the 1939 electoral register she had married John H B Woods and they were living at ‘Deanfield’ 34 The Haven-Tongaeum Lane, Brighton. John was a retired Land Agent (born 4 June 1876) and Amelia was doing unpaid domestic duties. Amelia passed away on 27 December 1978. Her probate stated she was ‘of Brighton and Hope Bethesda Home 5 Hove Pk Gdns Old Shoreham Rd Hove’. Probate was over £70000.
Olive Gertrude Densham was born on 5 April 1887 in Croydon, Surrey. By the 1939 register she had married William E Thompson (born 25 June 1879). They were living at 43 Mansfield Gardens Hampstead. He was a retired solicitor and she was retired but was also recorded as a driver with the volunteer ambulance. She passed away in the last quarter of 1971 in Brighton, Sussex.
John Lane Booth Densham was born mid-1888 in Croydon, Surrey but unfortunately passed away in early 1889.
Margery Alice Densham was born on 14 October 1889 in Croydon, Surrey. During the war she was with the British Red Cross. She joined in October 1915, with had address listed as 17 Fairfield Rd Croyden. Additional information stated she did ‘13 months nursing at 2nd Eastern General Hospital Stove 6 months nursing at Attingham Park Aux. Hospital Shrewsbury 26 weeks nursing at V.A.D. Hospital Montimer Berks 1298 hours (here) 3 months doing clerical work at Kingston Surbiton & District Hospital New Malden’, and was still serving. She returned to England from Adelaide on P.O.S/S Morea in First Class as a spinster, after living in Australia for a while, intending to reside in England. Margery married Percy Alexander Robinson at some time. She passed away on 18 July 1951 at Southlands Hospital Shoreham Sussex. Their address was recorded as 3 Castle-way Steyning Sussex. Effects were over £4700.
John Densham was born and died in 1891 in Croydon, Surrey.
Janet Densham was born on 28 February 1891 in Croydon, Surrey. She returned to Plymouth on Carthage on 14 September 1934 from Port Said in 1st Class. She was a 43-year-old school principal at Thorbank School, Bexhill-on-Sea. On 9 April 1936 she departed from London on Banpura for Marseilles. Her address and profession were the same. The 1939 register lists her as a single School Principal at Bexhill MB Sussex. In the 1955 phone book she was living at Rupert House School Northfield End Henley. She passed away in the last quarter of 1974 in Hove, Sussex.
Cicely Amelia Lane Densham was born in early 1893 in Croydon, Surrey. She served in World War 1 with the Voluntary Aid Detachment BRCS & St John and was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Her rank was listed as VAD in the medal roll, and she served in 1(a) from 24 April 1917 to 19 February 1919. The British Red Cross Register Of Overseas Volunteers 1914-1918 records her as Clerk, Post Office, Boulogne. In other records she was listed as a nurse, with address ‘C/o J. A. Densham Esq. 12 Tower Hill, E.C.’ or ‘9 Chepstow Road Croyden’. Service was from 30 September 1915 to February 1919 as a voluntary nurse, originally at ‘Weir Hospital, Grove Road, Balham, SW.’ Additional information recorded for her stated ‘Enrolled 20/9/15 Weir Hp. 30/9/15 – /1/16 Sick leave Jan – March /16 Weir Hp. /4/16 – 2/3/17 B.R.C.S. H.Q. Boulogne 21/4/17 – Feb 1919 Resigned 28/3/19 to go abroad.’ While overseas she was at France Headquarters Post Office. She married Grenville W Wilson in the last quarter of 1922 in Steyning Sussex. On 27 March 1953 she returned to Southampton in cabin class from South Africa. Her address was listed as c/o Overseas league, Overseas House, London SW1. She intended to return to South Africa. Cicely passed away in 1963 in South Africa.
Patrick Lane Densham was born on 30 March 1895 in Croydon, Surrey, England. While at Dulwich College he was listed in the register for Rugby in the 2nd XV for the 1911 – 1912 season. He returned to Southampton from Cape Town on the RMS Edinburgh Castle on 24 February 1914 with his parents and sister. Patrick had no occupation listed and was 18-years-old. He served with the HAC in the 1st World War and then the 58th Siege Battery, which had been in France from April 1916. A listing in the book of Members of the Honourable Artillery Company, who were on the roll on 30 June 1915, for him shows he was admitted in 1915 and lived at 12 King’s Bench Walk Temple, London. Other entries state he attested on 8 November 1915 with the service number 625302. The London Gazette of 2 May 1919 records under Royal Garrison Artillery that 2nd Lieutenant P L Densham was to be a Lieutenant from 4 November 1918. He married Victoria Millie Nellie Yates (1897-1987) on 16 August 1920 in St Andrews Church Fulham London. Patrick was recorded as a 25-year-old with profession as motor business and Victoria was a 23-year-old spinster. They were both living at 59B Fairholm Road West Kensington. His father was a Tea Merchant and Victoria’s father was Arthur Du Pasquier Yates, a theatrical manager. National Archives UK has a document titled ‘Divorce Court File: 6689. Appellant: Victoria Millie Nellie Densham. Respondent: Patrick Lane Densham. Type: Wife’s petition for divorce [wd]’ dated 1924. In the 1924 Berkshire electoral register he was living at Scotswood. The 1935 London directory has him listed at 7 Thurloe Close South Kensington, as does the 1939 Kensington directory. The London Gazette of 14 September 1939 records under Land Forces that the undermentioned were to be granted emergency commissions as 2nd Lieutenants and included on 11 September 1939 Lt. P L Densham (98565). In the 1939, 1940 and 1945 British Army Lists he is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant with Royal Regiment of Artillery. He re-married Victoria in the last quarter of 1944, as recorded in the civil registration marriage index. In the 1950 British phone book he is listed at 87 Addison Road W14 in London. He was living at in 27 Edith Grove SW10 the 1963 London electoral roll with a Marion Densham. He passed away on 21 June 1984 in London at 8 Edith Grove London and probate was granted on 14 March 1986 with effects of £106505. His death was recorded in the Death Notices from The Times on 26 June 1984.
Stephen Hugh Densham was born in mid-1896 in Croydon Surrey. On 7 November 1912 he departed Southampton on B Castle in 1st Class with his parents, Patrick, Dorothy and Cicely. They were going to Natal and intended to return to England. Stephen and Marion returned to England in 1st Class on Egypt from Bombay, disembarking at Plymouth on 14 March 1913. Stephen served in WW1 with 1/5th Battalion London Regiment, C Company, as Private 303254. The battalion had been transferred to 169th Brigade in 56th (London) Division on 10 February 1916. They were holding the trenches at the Hindenburg Line near Berneville during early December 1917, with heavy shelling during the first few days. They were then relieved by another battalion before returning to the trenches on 7 December, but there was ‘no hostile activity’ during the next few days. He is recorded on the 31st Ambulance Train on 3 December with index number 441707, with 5th London Regiment, C Company as Rifleman 303254 S H Densham. His wounds were described as ‘B.W. Back Shdls.’ And above that was ‘paralasys (sic) Legs.’ He entrained to Grevillers and died of wounds in No 56 General Hospital in France on 10 December 1917. Stephen was processed in the register of soldier’s effects in March 1918 in London and a payment of 6 pounds 13 shillings and 9 pence was granted on Letters of Administration to Joseph A Densham Esq on 2 May 1918. War gratuity of 8 pounds 10 shillings was also paid to Joseph on 24 November 1919. Stephen is listed in the CWGC register for Etaples Cemetery as ‘DENSHAM, Rfn. Stephen Hugh, 303254’ London Rifle Brigade. Died of wounds 10th Dec., 1917. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lane Densham. Native of Croydon, Surrey. XXXI. C. 25A.’ His battalion is recorded in Soldiers Died in the Great War as ‘5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade)’ with all the other details as shown elsewhere. It also shows he was born in, and resided in Croydon.
The medal roll for his British War and Victory medals shows he served with the 5th London Regiment as Rifleman 5340 in 1(a) (France) from 4 December 1916 to 2 May 1917 and as Rifleman 303254 (after renumbering in 1917) in France from 27 September 1917 to 10 December 1917. The remarks column noted he died of wounds on that last date. Stephen is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. There are two entries for probate for him: ‘DENSHAM Stephen Hugh of Cheslyn Chepstow-road Croydon Surrey rifleman 1/5th City of London regiment London Rifle Brigade died 10 December 1917 at 56 General Hospital Etaples France Administration (limited) London 20 February to Joseph Alexander Densham tea merchant the attorney of John Lane Densham. Effects £2781 13s. 9d.’ It then appeared in a later entry with the following underneath ‘Revoked 13 September 1918. Further grant 28 September 1918, and another entry: ‘DENSHAM Stephen Hugh of Cheslyn Chepstow-road Croydon Surrey rifleman 1/5th City of London regiment (London Rifle brigade) died 10 December 1917 at the 56th General Hospital Etaples France Administration (limited) London 28 September to Joseph Alexander Densham tea merchant and Alexander Jackson company director. Effects £2781 13s. 9d. Former Grant P.R. February 1918 revoked 13 September 1918.’
Stephen is also remembered at Dulwich College. He was there in 1911 and 1912. They record him in ‘The record of the Fallen in the Great War’. This gives a few more details as ‘Stephen was born on July 5th 1896, the youngest of 12 surviving children born to John Densham, chairman of the Mazawattee Tea Company, and his wife, Marion. He was the third Densham to come to the College, having been preceded by two of his elder brothers, John and Patrick. After leaving he went on to work in the city, something he was still doing when war was declared. Having volunteered as a member of the London Rifle Brigade, Stephen was sent over to France for the first time in November 1916, and the following April he was serving at the Battle of Arras when he was invalided home for a time due to illness. In September that year he returned to France, joining up once more with the 1st Battalion of the London Rifles. During the battle of Cambrai in November he was serving in Bourlon Wood when he was severely wounded in the back by a rifle grenade. He never recovered from these injuries, passing away as a result at Étaples on December 10th 1917, aged 21.’
Most of the information they received from a letter from his brother John, who wrote it on 11 November 1921 while at Forge House Falmer Sussex. He wrote ‘Dear Sir, I am very sorry you have waited such a long time for a reply to your letter to my sister re the College War List. Our family is so scattered that the letter has been forwarded all over the country before reaching me eventually. I am now enclosing a photo of my late brother & will give you all the information I can. I sincerely hope it is not too late. My brother went into business in the city after leaving school & when war broke out, joined up as a rifleman in the London Rifle Brigade. He joined the 1st Battalion in France in November 1916. He took part in the Arras battle of April 1917 & came home, sick, during the same month. He was in England until September 1917, when he again joined the 1st Batt, L.R.B. in France. He was wounded in Bourlon Wood during the Cambrai battle of November 1917 & died of wounds at Etaples on the 10th December 1917. He was wounded in the back by a rifle grenade. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. He was 22 years old when he died. I think this is all the information (news crossed out) I can give you & hope it is what you want. Yours sincerely J. H. Densham’.
He is recorded in the book ‘Croydon & the Great War: Official History of Borough & Citizens 1914 – 1919. WWI’ in page 289 as ‘DENSHAM, STEPHEN HUGH, Rflmn., L.R.B. (5 Lond. Regt.) b., “Waldronhyrst,” Croydon ’96 ; y.s., late John L., & Mrs. Densham, “Waldronhyrst,” Croydon. Educ., Limes Sch., Croydon, & Dulwich Coll. Single. ‘Cellist. Enl. ’16. D., 10 Dec., ’17, at 56 Gen. Hosp., Etaples, of wounds recd. Nr. Arras, 2 Dec ’17. (Plate VI., 6).’ He is also on the Memorial at Sutton Rugby Football Club (WMR 52407) Cheam Greater London.
With his parents, John departed on the Adriatic in 1st Class on 31 May 1911 from Southampton, bound for New York. Arriving at New York on 8 June, a passenger list was recorded which included his description of height 5 foot 10 inches, with a fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes.
John Humphrey Densham served in the First World War. He was in the 1st/1st Surrey Yeomanry as a private in C Squadron at the outbreak of the war, joining sometime before May 1914. The Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment) had been formed in 1908, being headquartered in Clapham Park. In August 1914 it was mobilised and moved to Kent. During November the regiment was split up with C Squadron coming under orders of 29th Division in Warwickshire in January 1915. They embarked at Avonmouth for service at Gallipoli on 17 March 1915. After landing at Alexandria on 2 April 1915 they travelled to Mudros on the Southland on 21 June and then on to Imbros on 26 June and remained there as GHQ Troops as clerks and orderlies. As the 29th Division was involved in the fighting on Gallipoli, small parties of C Squadron went there to collect stores and one party of twelve men worked for a time as trench police. John must have been a member of one of the parties on Gallipoli, as his sister Cicely stated in a letter (below) that he had been awarded the Military Medal in August 1915. There is however no official record of how or where the award was gained. After being evacuated to Egypt in February 1916 they landed at Marseilles on 11 March 1916 on the Nessian. In May they came under orders of XV Corps Cavalry Regiment on the Somme and joined III Corps Cavalry Regiment that month. At the beginning of the Somme offensive they worked in taking supplies and regulating traffic flow up to the front line for three weeks. In July 1917 they dismounted and moved to base for infantry training. John was picked at that time to train as an officer and was sent to No. 3 Officer Cadet Battalion at Bristol. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment on 26 September 1917. During September 1917 they were absorbed into the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
John was one of three men to be awarded a Military Medal on Gallipoli while serving with a Yeomanry unit there. The card for his Military Medal records J H Densham Private 1626 Surrey Yeomanry, with the date of Gazette 14/12/16. It is stamped ‘France’ in error.
The Western Daily Press of Bristol on Monday 30 July 1917 had an article headed A Great Day for the Volunteers, inspection by General Sclater. Further down in the article is a heading Presentation of War Medals, in which General Sclater ‘presented distinctions won by soldiers in battle’. The list included ‘Cadet John Densham (former rank private), Surrey Yeomanry, Military Medal’.
An entry in the London Gazette of 15 October 1917 under Territorial Force stated ‘The undermentioned from Officer Cadet Units, to be 2nd Lieutenants, 26 September 1917.’ ‘Royal West Kent Regiment – John Humphrey DENSHAM’.
His medal index card (MIC) shows he served as Private 1626 with Surrey Yeomanry (Queen Mary’s Regiment) and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment, being commissioned on 26 September 1917. Egypt (3) was the first theatre of war he entered into on 3 April 1915. The card shows he was issued the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. It also noted his Military Medal but not his Military Cross. He was awarded a Military Medal as Private 1626 with Surrey Yeomanry and a Military Cross as 2nd Lieutenant with 4th Battalion. The card refers to the medal rolls and all have the reference NW/1/3942. The medal roll for (QMR) Surrey Yeomanry for the 1914-15 Star shows 1626 Private J H Densham disembarked at (3) on 3/4/15 and was discharged to Commission with Royal West Kent Regiment 26/9/17. The roll for the British War and Victory Medals for the RWKR shows 2nd Lieutenant J H Densham was issued them with the 1914-15 Star issued as above. The same roll for the Surrey Yeomanry (QMR) shows Private 45125 John H Densham MM, previously serving as 1626 Private in the Surrey Yeomanry Lancers, had them issued ‘from off 156/208 R W Kent R NW/1/3942’ and ‘Dis to Comm. 25/9/17’. It records his address as Flat 3 122 King’s Road Brighton.
John did not embark from the UK to join the 10th Royal West Surrey Regiment until 31 July 1918 and arrived with them on 26 August 1918. He was a part of the Army of Occupation before relinquishing his commission.
He is listed in the 10th Battalion Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment regimental roll and recruitment register, under the nominal roll of officers who served in France … between 5th August 1914 and 30th November 1918, as 2nd Lieutenant J H Densham, date of disembarkation 31 July 1918 and date of joining and re-joining as 26 August 1918 with unit. There is also a reference code, NW/1/3942, which also is recorded on his MIC.
The London Gazette of 15 February 1919 had an entry ‘His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Awards to the undermentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. The acts of gallantry for which the decorations have been awarded will be announced in the London Gazette as early as practicable: AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS Second Lieutenant John Humphrey DENSHAM, M.M., 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, Territorial Force, attached 10th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment.’ In the London Gazette of 30 July 1919, an entry relating back to the above entry of the award of the Military Cross to John, and stated ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability in commanding two platoons on the right flank guard during the action near Comines on September 28th/30th 1918. When an enemy field battery was outflanking the advance of the brigade, he, by the able handling of his Lewis guns immediately silenced the battery and drove off the gunners, killing many. On the 29th he personally captured two machine guns, killing some of the detachment and capturing the others. Throughout he showed the greatest courage and initiative.’
On 25 February 1919 Mr J H Densham departed from Liverpool on the Balmoral Castle bound for Cape Town. He was 24-years-old from England and intended to return to England. No occupation was listed.
In the Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942, he is listed as John Humphrey Densham, age 26, born in 1894 in Falmer, with the service number 736988. Patrick is also recorded with a service number of 1396181. John is listed in the UK, Military Discharge Indexes, 1920-1971 as J H Densham, birth date 1 March 1894, service number 736988 and was recorded in Army Other Ranks, Discharges for 1921-1939 with reference number ADT000154765. He also has another listing with the same birth date and service number P116976 under Army Officers and reference number AOP000013689.
His sister, Cicely Densham wrote a letter to Mr C Christison esq. of Dulwich College on 16 August 1920, giving her address as Kensington Mansions, Warwick Rd London. She wrote ‘Seeing the paragraph in todays Sunday Times with reference to the Dulwich College War Service Record, I send these particulars of my three brothers J.H. P.L. and S.H. Densham who were all in the College between the years 1909 & 1913. J.H. Densham. 1914-1917. Trooper. Surrey Yeomanry. Served in Egypt, Gallipoli & France. Military Medal won August 1915. 1917-1918. Lt. Royal West Kent Reg. attchd. 10th Quens. Served in France. Military Cross won September 1918. P.L. Densham. 1915-1917 Bombardier H.A.C. 1917-1918 Lt. Royal Garrison Artillery 58th Siege Battery. Served in France. S.H. Densham. 1915-1917. Rifleman London Rifle Brigade. Died of wounds received in Bourlon Wood, December 10th 1917. I am sending these particulars as I very much doubt whether you will have received them from any other source.’ They appear in The Dulwich College War Record 1914 to 1919 with the entries reading ‘DENSHAM J.H. (1909-11). 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Bn. The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regt. (T.F). M.C. M.M. Densham P.L. (1909-12). Lieutenant Royal Garrison Artillery, 58th Siege Battery. *DENSHAM S.H. (1911-12). Rifleman, 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Bn. London Regt. (T.F.) Died of wounds at Etaples, 10th December, 1917.’ Also included on the letter under each other is ‘J.H. 7344’, ‘P.L. 7463’ and ‘S.H 7758’.
The three of them are also recorded in the Dulwich College Register. For John Humphrey Densham the register notes he was there in 1908 as number 7344, with brothers 7463 and 7758. His birth was 1/3/1894, son of J L Densham of Waldronhyrst Croydon. He was in Ivyhome and left July 1911. It noted he was in the ‘Great War. Tr. Surrey Yeomanry. Egypt, Gallipoli, France. Q.O.R.W. Kent Regt. 10th Bn 2nd Lt. 1917 ; Lt. 26 Mar. 1919. France. M.M. Aug 1915. M.C. Sept. 1918.’ Patrick (7463) had his entry as birth 30 March 1895, ‘2nd XV 1911-2 ; L. Dec. 1912 ; U. 4th M. Great War, B. H.A.C. ; Lt. R.G.A.58th Siege Batty. ; France ‘ Middlesex XV 1921-2. Address : 11 St. Paul’s Mansions, Hammersmith’. Stephen was recorded as ‘b. 5 July 1896; br. Of 7344 and 7463; L. Dec. 1912; U. 5th; business in the City. Great War, Rfm. 5th Bn. (L.R.B.) London Regt. France, Nov. 15; Arras, Apr 1917; invalided; rejoined; w. in Bourlon Wood in Battle of Cambrai, Nov 1917; d. 10 Dec. 1917 at Etaples of wounds. Ref. his br. 7463 q.’
John played for the Sussex Rugby XV in 1923 (as noted in the College list).
Embarking at Southampton on Kildonian Castle on 18 December 1924 in 1st Class for East London, John was listed in the passenger list as Mr J H Densham of 122 Kings Road Brighton age 30. No occupation was listed. He intended to return to England. HMS Windsor Castle arrived in Southampton on 6 April 1925 with John Humphrey Densham, who had embarked at East London, in 1st Class. His address in England was 122 Kings Road Brighton. No profession was listed and he was by himself, age 31 and intended to live back in England.
John applied for his medals and they were sent to him under Issue Voucher B/468 on 11 January 1927. His address at that time was Flat 3, 122 King’s Road Brighton.
He departed from Avonmouth on 26 February 1927 on the Ariguani bound for Cristobal, Canal Zone. His UK address was 122 Kings Road Brighton and he was a Company Director age 32. John intended to return to England.
On 12 April 1927 John arrived at Southampton on Berengaria from New York. His address and other details were the same and he recorded he was a 33-year-old Director. After another trip to East London, South Africa on the Lebina in early December 1930, John Densham returned to England, disembarking at Southampton from Njassa on 23 March 1931 from 1st Class. But it lists he was a 36-year-old Company Director who was living in South Africa and intended to live in England at 62 East Street Brighton. On 5 January 1934 he boarded Warwick Castle in 1st Class, bound for East London. His age was 39 and all other details were the same. John again returned to Southampton on 26 March 1934 on Winchester Castle in First Class from East London. He was a 40-year-old Company Director living at Flat 1 122 Kings Road Brighton.
In the 1939 register John is listed at 122 Kings Road Brighton, born 1 March 1894, single and a company director. He was living with Lilian Annie Densham (Taylor was originally written, then crossed out), born 12 February 1902, single and living by private means. Mid-July 1940 John did marry Lillian in Brighton, Sussex. It is not known if they had any children, but may have.
The London Gazette of 25 June 1940 recorded ‘Royal Sussex Regiment – John Humphrey Densham, MC, MM, (116976), late Lieutenant, Royal West Kent Regiment, to be 2nd Lieutenant, 27th January 1940. (Substituted for the notification in the Gazette (Supplement) dated 30th April 1940.)’ He was given and Emergency Commission in the Regular Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He had to relinquish his commission however, due to ill-health, on 24 August 1940.
John passed away on 4 July 1967. The Probate index states: ‘DENSHAM John Humphrey of 36 Salisbury Road Hove Sussex died 4 July 1967 Probate Lewes 28 July to Lloyds Bank Limited. £164483.’ Lilian passed away on 5 September 1994 ‘of Waldron 36 Salisbury Road Hove East Sussex’ and her death was registered in Reading and Wokingham, Berkshire, England. Probate was given at Brighton on 7 October of £467545.
A newspaper entry reads ‘DENSHAM.- On July 4, 1967. JOHN HUMPHREY (Hum) DENSHAM, M.C., M.M., age 73 of 36, Salisbury Road, Hove, beloved husband of Lilian. Service at the Downs Crematorium Bear Road, Brighton, on Saturday July 8, at 11.30 a.m. Please, no flowers but donations if desired may be sent to the Richard Dimbleby Cancer Research Fund, King Street, Richmond, Surrey.’ Another newspaper cutting says ‘DENSHAM, Mr. John Humphrey, of Hove, Sussex (duty paid, £80,290) £160,819’.
His medals are MC MM 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory medal and WW2 Defence Medal.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.