Albert Henry Dengate

Albert Henry Dengate, Australia, post WW1

KEY DATES:

Born: 2 October 1885, Hastings, East Sussex

Baptism: 27 December 1885, St Andrew's Church, Hastings, East Sussex

Marriage: 13 April 1966, Hastings, East Sussex

Death: 20 October 1969, St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex

Cremation: 24 October 1969, Hastings Crematorium, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY:

Albert Henry Dengate was born 2 October 1885 in Hastings, East Sussex to William and Elizabeth Dengate. He was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Hastings on 27 December 1885.

St Andrew's Church, Hastings, East Sussex

He spent his early years living at the family home of 59 Stonefield Road in Hastings. The 1901 census shows him as a 15 year-old 'office lad' living with his parents, brothers and sisters.

Sometime prior to the outbreak of World War One, Albert Henry moved to Australia where he went to work for Nestle and Shell as a personnel manager. After the outbreak of WW1 Albert joined the Australian Imperial Force, as a gunner in the 2nd division of the Royal Ammunition Column. He enlisted on 30 September 1915 at Caroggero, Queensland. His enlistment records state that he was 29 years and 11 months old, 5 ft 6 1/2 inches tall, 10 stone 11 pounds, with dark complexion and grey eyes. Under distinctive marks it lists a vaccination mark on one arm and a birth mark on his neck. At that time of his enlistment he was living with Mrs E. Floyd, Innis Glen, Sydney Street, New Farm, Brisbane. He saw active duty in the field and was issued with the 1914/15 star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Albert Henry Dengate, WW1, Australia

Albert Henry Dengate and new car, Australia, post WW1

Albert Henry lived out his active life in Australia, returning to England upon retirement. When asked why he left Australia by his cousin Joan Dengate he replied that he was fed up with the flies! Flies aside, he returned to help look after his sister Flora (Flo) who was suffering from bad arthritis at the time. They resided at 16 Waterworks Road, Hastings until Flo's death on 1 January 1965.

Albert Henry Dengate, England

Albert Henry took an interest in Dengate family history and sometime in the 1950s / 60s he wrote to his cousin Flora Fry. She sent him a letter sent to her in 1940 by her cousin Ellen Comfort Weight, who had spent much time researching the Dengate tree in the 1930s.

Sometime in the 1960s, Albert met up with an old school friend, Amy Haste who had been widowed and the two married 13 April 1966 in Hastings. Albert's brother Frederick Charles Dengate acted as best man. After their marriage the couple lived at 23 East Ascent, Hastings.

After just three years of marriage Albert Henry Dengate died 20 October 1969, at the Royal East Sussex Hospital, Hastings, aged 84. He was cremated at Hastings Crematorium, his cremated remains were placed in the garden of remembrance, lawn D. In the book of remembrance is written:

Dengate, Albert Henry

1885 - 1969

Happily remembered

I shall remember whilst the light lasts

And in the darkness I shall not forget

Garden of Remembrance, Hastings Cemetery, East Sussex, 2004

Amy May Dengate died in Hastings 3 December 1977 and was cremated 9 December 1977 at Hastings Crematorium. Her ashes were removed on 15 December and placed in the Church garden of St Leonard's Parish Church, near her home of East Ascent.

CENSUS:

1901 Census

Grateful thanks to Derek Dengate for the photographs and biographical information used in this biography.