Frederick William DENNETT

Frederick William DENNETT (Bandmaster 4th (TA) Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry formerly 2nd Battalion).
Died 19 April 1991

Residing at the time of his death at Sabrina House, Longden Road, Shrewsbury.

Husband of Alice Patricia Dennett nee Poole.

At rest at Shrewsbury Cemetery, Shropshire.

His son is at rest at Tewkesbury Cemetery, Gloucestershire, details as follows -
Warrant Officer Class 1, (Conductor) Peter Henry DENNETT No. 22523772 Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
Died at Ashchurch, Gloucestershire 22 September 1971 aged 44.

Photo credited to Sheila, Family Tree.

Surprise birthday turn-out for Old Soldier Fred.

Posted 13 July 2009 by Sheila_Bastin

A resident at Heaths Houses, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, walked into a surprise party on Monday, in celebration of his 90th birthday. Mr Fred Dennett MBE has lived St Heaths House for 12 years and was 90 on Friday. Mr Dennett was born in London and served in the army for over 50 years, serving in both world wars. He joined the army as a boy at 15 where he served with the 4th Dragoon Guards as a boy trumpeter.

In 1931 he was transferred to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry where, after a three years course at the Royal Military School of Music, he was promoted Warrant Officer class 1 and became bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion KSLI.

Mr Dennett retired from the regular army in 1948 and joined the 4th Battalion KSLI the regiment's territorial army battalion, where he was band master until retiring in 1961.

In 1960 in recognition of his long service and contributions to army music, he was awarded the MBE. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service medal and two long service and good conduct medals.

Mr Dennett's medals are now on display in the regimental museum of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in Shrewsbury Castle.

During his retirement, Mr Dennett has taught music at Kingsland School and composed several music scores for military bands.

Since moving to Heaths Houses he has served as chairman, secretary and treasurer of the Darby and Joan Club.

At Monday's party friends and residents of Heaths Houses were joined by a number of Mr Dennett's old colleagues and relatives.

Mr Dennett has two daughters and two sons and 34 grandchildren and great grandchildren.


Excerpts from the KSLI Museum
Posted 20 Nov 2012 by Sheila_Bastin
Excerpt from 1st Bt KSLI 1939-45:

On 2 September 1939, a party entrained at North Camp Station for Shrewsbury, under command of Lt A G Fulcher, consisting of Infantry Training Centre personnel, taking with them the colours, together with the new colours which had not yet been presented. Bandmaster F Dennett accompanied this party, taking the band instruments to the Depot. The Bugles remained with the Battalion, as did the Bandsmen.

Seen in KSLI Museum:

Other pieces used by the Battalion were 'The Shrewsbury Troop' and 'Brigadier' (both composed by Bandmaster F Dennett in the 1930s), 'Light Cavalry', 'Marching through Georgia' and 'Old Folks at Home'.


Bandmaster F W Dennett MBE MSM ARCM, 4th Dragoon Guards, 2nd and 4th KSLI:

F W Dennett served in the Army for nearly 50 years. Apart from being awarded the MBE and the MSM, he earned no less than three Long Service and Good Conduct medals – George V and George VI (Regular Army), and Elizabeth II (TA


Started as a Private D/6608 4th Dragoon Guards.

Frederick William DENNETT Warrant Officer Class 1, 22244832 4th Battalion The King's Shropshire Light Infantry - Territorial Army. Theatre of Combat or Operation: Birthday Honours

Award: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Date of announcement in London Gazette: 11 June 1960