Bertram Noel Denison

Midshipman Bertram Noel Denison, R.N. (21 December, 1883 – 15 September, 1914) served briefly in the Royal Navy after completing a stunning education.

Life & Career

Born in Greenock, Scotland, the son of Captain (later Admiral) John Denison.

Denison gained an open scholarship at Harrow, and passed into Britannia after six months there, placing first of sixty-one accepted candidates in Britannia's January, 1898 intake term. Moreover, he was again first of sixty-three cadets, with 1,987 marks of a possible 2,250, upon passing out in April, 1899. He accomplished this despite being ill and losing 100 points marks for being unable to take all the tests.

Denison was promoted to the rank of Midshipman on 15 May, 1899. He served in the battleship Majestic in the Channel Squadron from June 1899 to January 1900 and then in Doris, on the Cape of Good Hope Station. While in her, in April Lord Roberts personally requested that Denison join him in the Naval Brigade at [illegible]. By July, 1900 he was with the Brigade and served as Aide-de-Camp to Captain Bearcroft. His appointment in Doris ended in December 1900 and on the 7th, he was sent back in S.S. Wakool.

On 10 April 1901, Denison was appointed once more to join Majestic. His time with the Naval Brigade must have impressed him, as Denison asked to be withdrawn from naval service on 20 December, 1901 so that he might accept a commission in the Army.

Army Career and Death

Denison eventually served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Denison was severely wounded on 26 August, 1914 while fighting as a Captain on the French and Belgian frontier. He died of his wounds on 15 September.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia