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1890 Sep 12. Born Newark, Notts
1891 census at Newark Road, Winthorpe, Notts
1901 census at Nelson Inn, Winthorpe, Notts
1908 Apr 3. Enlisted as a Private in 8th Notts & Derby Regt. with reg no 147
1911 census at 6 Middlegate, Newark, Notts
1915 Feb 26 Posted to France. He is a Colour Sgt.
1916 Apr 9 Promoted RQMS
1917 Jun 7. Accepted for 12th Officer Cadet Battalion and returns to UK.
1917 Oct 23. Commissioned 2nd Lt
1918 Oct 18. Appointed Acting Capt while commanding a company
He earned three MCs in a five week period in the last two months of World War I.
1919 Mar 26. 5th Notts & Derby. The undermentioned 2nd Lts. to be Lts. — J. R. Dench, M.C. (actg. Capt.).
1919 Jun 25. 5th Bn., Notts. & Derby. Regt.—Lt. (actg. Capt.) J. R. Dench, M.C., relinquishes the actg. rank of Capt. on ceasing to be empld. Retained rank of Lt
1919 Jul 29 Gazetted MC. 2nd Lt. Joseph Richard Dench, l/5th Bn. Notts & Derby R., T.F. For great courage and dash at Lehaucourt on September 29th, 1918, when in command of his platoon. When his platoon was held up by direct fire, from a 77 mm. battery and machine-gun fire, he worked round a flank and captured the battery and two machine guns, killing some of the team and taking the remainder prisoners. He did splendid work
1919 Oct 3. Gazetted bar to MC. 2nd Lt. (A./Capt.) Joseph Richard Dench, M.C., l/5th Bn.. Notts. & Derby. R., T.F. At Montbrehain, on 3rd October, 1918, during a 'heavy enemy counter-attack, he took command of his company when his company commander was. wounded. By his utter disregard for personal safety he steadied his men, and with great skill he organised Lewis'gun fire and inflicted such heavy casualties on the enemy that the counterattack was completely held on his front. His cool.courage and prompt action at a very critical time saved the situation.
1919 Dec 9. Gazetted 2nd bar to MC. 2nd Lt. (A./Capt.) Joseph. Richard Dench, M.C., I/5th Bn., Notts and Derby R., T.F. For conspicuous gallantry and resource during the advance from Prisches, on the 6th November, 1918. He displayed the greatest courage and determination in leading his company over very difficult and thickly wooded country, which was continually under hostile machine-gun fire, and, although at one time held up by a broad and deep stream, he skilfully constructed a rough bridge, got his company across, and gained his objective.
1920 Sep 13. Invested with MC and 2 bars
1921 Mar 8. Joined ADRIC with service no 1802. Posted to C Coy
1921 Apr 2. Posted to Q Coy
1921 Aug 23 Promoted Section Leader
1921 Dec 18. Reverted to T/Cadet.
1922 Jan 14 . Discharged on demobilisation of ADRIC
1922 Joined the British Gendarmerie section of the Palestine Police as a Sergeant.
1922 Nov 1. 8th Bn., Foresters.—Lt. J. R. Dench, M.C., ceases to hold a commn. in the T.A. for failing to reply to official correspondence. He had been accused of a number of financial irregularities including "Drawing against the men's messing account 2 cheques to "self" for £30 and £6 " And owing £21 on his own messing account
He had lived in Elston and later moved to Newark, served in a Home Defence unit in World War II
1936 Jul/Sep married Agnes J C Grant at Newark
1939 Register. Living with wife Agnes at .91 London Road , Newark M.B., Nottinghamshire,. He is a Engineers Progress Clerk
1955 Apr 12. Died at Newark, Notts.
