Rushden Echo, September 3 1915, transcribed by Clive Wood
Killed At Gallipoli - Rushden Territorial Shot by Sniper
Sad news was received by Mrs Denton of Grove-street, Rushden, on Wednesday morning of the death of her son, Pte Dennis Denton, of 1/4th Battalion Northants Regt. The facts were sent in a letter from Pte. F. King of the same battalion to Pte Denton's sister. Pte King wrote: "I am writing to tell you that Dennis got killed last night about seven o'clock. He was guiding the Field Ambulance to the firing line when a sniper shot him through the chest. I had not seen him since yesterday morning and I did not know till this morning that he was hit. They buried him last night (August 19)... All the company feel sorry for your great loss. Pte Denton was only 18 years old. He had been in the Territorials just over a year when war broke out, and in ordinary times worked at Messrs Wm. Green and Sons boot factory. He was a fine shot and won the first prize and a medal in the shooting competition held a year last Whitsun. Pte Denton was also entitled to hold a cup for a year but the advent of war altered his arrangement.
The 'Terriers' set sail on July 28 and Pte Denton had only been in action about a day when the sad event occurred. Mrs Denton has two other sons in training.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 24 September 1915, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Letter from George Wigglesworth
The letter was as follows:- "Dear Parents, -Just a line to let you know that I have arrived in the firing line. I have been here three days now and am getting quite used to it. We were under shell fire for about two hours when we first landed, so we soon had out baptism of fire. The battalion has been in the trenches for about eight days but are out now. They have done some very good work, but had a decent few casualties. I am very sorry to say that my old pal 'Jicker' Denton is killed. [Pte Dennis Denton, already reported killed in the "Rushden Echo."] He was on a certain duty that needed some exposure and I believe he was 'snipered.' He wasn't in much pain, for he was shot through the chest and must have died almost at once. 'Benny' Letts (Pte B Letts, C Company, of Pemberton-street, Rushden), and 'Cooky' (Pte Cyril Cook, C Company, of Park-road, Rushden) are all right. The Herefords that were billeted at Rushden are with us, but are in the trenches at present. I have seen some of them and they all say the same - 'Wish I was back in Rushden.' I am in the pink and have not been touched. I hope you are not worrying about me. I am not worrying in the least, so I'm sure you needn't. Roll on the time the war is done. I have not heard from England yet but I suppose you have written. Lots of chaps haven't heard from home yet. We do all our own cooking but are rather short of water. George."
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