Cpl 29766 Rowland Dentith

• Age: 22
• From: Burland, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Arneke British Cem
  Panel Ref: II.A.5

Rowland Dentith was born on 09th June 1896 in Burland, Cheshire, the son of Thomas Dentith and his wife Alice (nee Lloyd) who were married in 1893 at St Mary's Church, Acton, Cheshire.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 31 Alton Street, Coppenhall, Nantwich. Rowland is 5 years old and lives with his parents and elder brother. His father is 32 years of age, born in Cheshire and is employed as a Caster (steel smelting), whilst his mother is 37 years of age and born in Acton, Cheshire. His brother Frank is 7 years of age and was born in Crewe.

In 1903, Rowland was enrolled at Eddleston Road County Primary school in Crewe.

By the time of the 1911 Census the family have moved to 166 Ruskin Road, Crewe. Rowland is now aged 14 and is at school. He lives with his parents who have been married for 18 years and have had two children. His elder brother, Frank, is now 16 years old and is employed as a Railway clerk.

Rowland enlisted in Crewe and served in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 29766.

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. According to the battalion War Diary, on the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank.

29^th – At 3.30 a.m. heavy enemy bombardment opened, followed later (9.00 a.m.) by enemy attack and our line was forced back to G.H.Q.1 where I organised and held on to the position. The enemy got through on both flanks practically surrounding 2 of my companies. ‘A’ company was actually surrounded and after severe fighting were captured.

Rowland now rests at Arneke British Cemetery, where his headstone bears the epitaph;

“IN LOVING MEMORY,  MOTHER”

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918. Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

His brother Frank also served as a Liverpool Pal as Private 25329 of the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was wounded and invalided out of the Army with a Silver War Badge.