Duncan Cenotaph

As part of our project to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Private Robert Edmund Barry Denny, who died on 22 May 1915, aged 24, while serving with the 16th Battalion, C.E.F. in France. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Here is the local Cowichan Leader newspaper report of the death of Private A.E.B. Denny. Note that the “A.E.B. Denny” is a misprint in the original newspaper report:

“Errors in transmitting the name of Private A.E.B. Denny caused the omission of his name ere this. The news of his death from wounds has been received by his sister who is now in Victoria. His home is in Lincolnshire, where his father is practicing medicine.

He was 26 years of age [note: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record says he was 24] and had studied in one of the London hospitals. He came to Duncan some two years ago and, with his brother H.A.M. Denny, joined the 50th Highlanders with the first contingent and was drafted into the 16th Battalion.

He refused a commission. His brother accepted one and is now serving with the Devons. He was well known and deservedly popular in Cowichan.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 24 June 1915, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives files)

Here are links to more information about Robert Edmund Barry Denny:

 

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