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Captain
HENRY JAMES DEAN
Royal Engineers
(formerly 27489 Company Sergeant Major, R.E.)

 by

Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis
Ó 2018.  All Rights Reserved.  

1.  INTRODUCTION

             Unless otherwise noted, the most of the details supplied in this narrative were extracted from the officer’s service papers obtained from the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) at Kew, Richmond, Surrey (by way of Ancestry.com).  Many other sources also were found on Ancestry.com and these sources are listed in the REFERENCE section at the end of this narrative.   

2.  EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

            Henry James Dean was the grandson of 312 Sergeant William Dean, R.E. and the son of 4258 Corporal George Dean, R.E.  All of these men enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Boy Soldiers and served for full careers in the Army. 

            William Dean was born in April of 1809 in St. Mary’s Parish, Woolwich, Kent.  He was a tailor by trade and he enlisted in the Royal Sappers & Miners[i] on the 16^th of May 1823 as a Boy Soldier.  He served for a total of 38 years and 291 days, mostly at the Corps headquarters in Chatham, Kent.  His service abroad included 7 years and 1 month in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  For his service William Dean was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

            George Dean was born on the 3^rd of September 1840 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  He enlisted as a Boy Soldier in the Royal Sappers and Miners on the 9^th of April 1856.  He served as a Bugler and a Driver in the 23^rd Company, Royal Engineers, in “A” Troop, Royal Engineers and in “B” Troop, Royal Engineers.  His home stations included Aldershot, Shorncliffe and Chatham and his service abroad included India and China.  George Dean served for a total of 21 years and 3 days with service abroad totaling 4 years and 31 days.  For his service he was awarded the Indian Mutiny, 187-1858 Medal with clasps [RELIEF OF LUCKNOW] and [LUCKNOW] and the Second China War Medal, 1857-60 with clasps [TAKU FORTS] 1860 and [PEKIN 1860].  George Dean was discharged from the Army on the 9^th of September 1879.

            Henry James Dean was born on the 30^th of April 1878 at the Female Hospital in Aldershot, Hampshire.  His birth certificate shows him to be the son of Corporal George Dean of the Royal Engineers Train and his wife Harriet Hannah Dean (née Dadswell).  The family’s address is listed as South Camp, Aldershot.  Young Henry’s birth was registered in the District of Farnham, Sub-district of Frimely, Counties of Surrey and Southampton on the 4^th of May 1878.  At the time that Henry was born the Deans had a son, William George, born in 1865, a daughter, Sophia Matilda, born in 1870 and a son, Richard C., born in 1874.

            George and Harriet had three more sons after the birth of Henry; David Thomas, born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 1880, Prichard George, born in Aldershot, Hampshire in 1884 and Frederick George, born at Scoveston Fort,[ii] Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1888.[iii]    

            The 1881 Census of Wales shows the Dean family living Pembrokeshire as shown in the Table 1 below. 

Table 1.  The 1881 Census of Wales (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)

NOTES: 

1. Although Scoveston Fort was designed as a military fortification, it apparently was used to house soldiers and their families.
2. George Dean had been discharged from the Army on the 9^th of September 1879.  He appears in this census as a civilian employee working at the Royal Engineers Depot in Pembrokeshire.
3. The middle initials shown in brackets above are not shown on the actual census form.  They have been added based on knowledge acquired from other sources.
4. William George Dean does not appear in the 1881 census as he already had enlisted as a Boy Soldier in 1879 and no longer was living in his father’s house.

            By 1891 the Dean family had moved to Dover, Kent as shown by the Census of England and Wales for that year in Table 2.

Table 2.  The 1891 Census of England and Wales (Dover, Kent)

NOTES:

1. In 1891 Sophia Dean would have been 20 years old.  She no longer was living with the family because she had married in 1890.
2. In 1891 Richard C. Dean would have been 17 years old.  He was no longer living with the family.  He may already have enlisted in the Army or may have been serving as an Apprentice and living in another household.  It was not unusual in the late Victorian period for the sons of soldiers and ex-soldiers with large families to enlist as Boy Soldiers in order to relieve the financial burden on their parents.  In 1914 Richard C. Dean would have been 40 years old when the Great War started.  A Medal Index Card was found for a Richard C. Dean indicating that he was a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Royal Engineers at the end of the war.  The card indicates the he had Territorial Force Regimental Numbers of 1310 and 514544.  For his service during the war he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

  3.  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION  

            The following is a description of Henry James Dean at the time he enlisted as a Boy Soldier in the Royal Engineers in 1893:

Table 3.  Description on Enlistment of Henry James Dean

             NOTE: Henry’s Description on Enlistment indicates that his religious denomination was the Church of England.

            No description of Henry James Dean is contained in his military service papers at the time of his discharge from the Army; however, given his height and weight at the age of 15 it would be reasonable to assume that he was a man of small stature.

4.  ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING  

Service in the Ranks (1893-1915)

             Henry James Dean was recruited for enlistment as a Boy Soldier[iv] in the Royal Engineers by Sergeant Major William Marshall, R.E.  On the 14^th of June 1893 he was given a physical examination at Chatham and a Certificate of Final Medical Examination was issued for him by Captain W.L. Clements, Army Medical Service, finding him fit for service in the Army as a Boy Soldier.[v]  Henry attested for service in the Army on the following day.

            As part of the enlistment process Henry was asked numerous questions to determine his eligibility to serve in the Forces.  He responded that he had been living in his father’s house prior to his enlistment and that he had no formal trade or calling.  He was not an Apprentice and he had never been sentenced to imprisonment by a Civil Power.  He declared that he was not a member of Her Majesty’s forces, he had never previously served in Her Majesty’s forces, he had never been discharged from Her Majesty’s forces and had never been rejected as unfit for Her Majesty’s forces

            Henry said that he was willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated and that he was willing to enlist in the Royal Engineers for a period of 12 years (his was a Long Service Attestation).[vi]  After answering all of these questions, Henry signed the Attestation form and his signature was witnessed by SGM William Marshall.  The Certificate of the Attesting Officer was signed on the 15^th of June by Colonel K.R. Todd, R.E.,[vii] Assistant Commandant, School of Military Engineering.  On this same date a Certificate of Primary Military Examination was issued for him at Chatham and he was found fit for service in the Royal Engineers.  Colonel Todd then issued the Certificate of Approving Field Officer and Henry James Dean was approved for service in the Royal Engineers with Regimental Number 27489 and was posted to the 11^th Field Company at Aldershot, Hampshire.  On the 22^nd of June 1893 Henry was re-vaccinated in the left arm and the results were described as “Modified” by the doctor. 

            Prior to reporting to Aldershot it appears that Henry remained at Chatham for a while where he either was utilized in the duties of a Boy Soldier or where he underwent some training.  On the 12^th of December 1893 he was awarded a Third Class Certificate of Education.[viii]  He did not report to the 11^th Field Company for almost a year from the date of his enlistment.  His service papers indicate that on the 1^st of June 1894 he was appointed a Bugler[ix] by Major J. Sturgess, R.E. and that he was serving at the Royal Engineers Depot at the time, presumably at Chatham.

5.  ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Home Service (1894-1899)

            Bugler Henry James Dean arrived at Aldershot on the 7^th of June 1894 where he joined the 11^th Field Company.  He remained with his company at Aldershot until the 30^th of October 1894 when the 11^th Field Company was posted to the Curragh in Ireland.  While in Ireland Bugler Dean was awarded a Second Class Certificate of Education[x] on the 24^th of April 1895 and Good Conduct Pay[xi] at the rate of 1d. per day on the 15^th of June 1895.

            On the 15^th of May 1896 Dean became a Sapper after reaching the age of 18.  At that time he was serving in the 26^th Field Company under the command of Captain George Henry Fowke, R.E.[xii]  While serving in Ireland Sapper Dean was qualified as a Skilled Painter before being posted back to Chatham on the 22^nd of May 1896 where he joined “C” Company.  On the 7^th of April 1897 he was appointed a Lance Corporal by the Officer Commanding “C” Company, Major A.G. Hunter-Weston, R.E.[xiii]

            Lance Corporal Dean was awarded a certificate for swimming proficiency on the 21^st of July 1898 and he was awarded Good Conduct Pay[xiv] at the rate of 2d. on the 15^th of June 1899.  On the 1^st of September 1899 Dean was promoted to the rank of 2^nd Corporal by Captain G.E. Smith, R.E.,[xv] who then was commanding “C” Company.  Soon after his promotion he was posted to the 37^th Field Company, R.E.[xvi] with the 5^th Division under Sir Charles Warren.  The Commander Royal Engineers of the division was Lieutenant Colonel George Hamilton Sim, R.E. and the Officer Commanding the 37^th Company was Captain William Alan Cairns, R.E., who had replaced Captain Smith as the O.C. prior to the posting of the company to the 5^th Division.

Service in South Africa (1899-1902)

            The 37^th Field Company sailed aboard S.S. Canada to the seat of the war in South Africa on the 30^th of November 1899 and it landed in Natal on the 23^rd of December.  Dean’s Medical History sheet shows that on the 7^th of December he had been inoculated against enteric fever, probably in anticipation of the deployment of his company to South Africa.   

Figure 1.  SS Canada, circa 1899.
(Photograph courtesy of Great Ships, https://greatships.net/canada)

            In January of 1900 The company was attached to the 2^nd Division under Major General Clery and on the 18^th of January 2^nd Corporal Dean and his company were assigned to work on establishing a ferry at Potgieter’s Drift to allow the 2^nd Division to cross the Tugela River.

            From the 20^th to the 24^th of January 1900 Dean and the 37^th Field Company saw action at Spion Kop.  The British plan for this action was to climb and capture the hill of Spion Kop which was considered to be the key to the Rangeworthy position.  With troops established on Spion Kop the British could overlook the open ground leading to Ladysmith.  The column assigned to take Spion Kop comprised a party of Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry, battalions from Woodgate’s Lancastrian Brigade and sappers of the 17^th Field Company, Royal Engineers to dig the necessary entrenchments.

            The column made a night approach finally setting off up the steep side of the hill and arriving at the top in the early morning.  The hill was shrouded in mist.  A small Boer picket fled, leaving the British in possession of the summit, which the sappers began to entrench.  It seemed to the British that the relief of Ladysmith was at hand.

Map 1.  The Battle of Spion Kop, January 1900.
(Map courtesy of the Warfare History Network)

            On Spion Kop the mist prevented the British force from realizing that the area they occupied did not include the summit and that their position was overlooked by higher features.  The infantry soldiers fell asleep after the strenuous climb while the team of sappers dug trenches.  The entrenched area extended to just an acre. 

            The Boer bombardment began and the Boers on the lip of the summit of the hill fired into the entrenched area, which the British troops were to find was too small and too shallow.  Under the storm of artillery and rifle fire the British troops in the trenches on the hill top suffered heavily.  General Woodgate was an early casualty, as were the commanding officers of the Royal Lancasters and the Royal Engineers, leaving the British troops without senior officers.[xvii]

Figure 2.  British Pontoon Bridge over the Tugela River, 
Battle of Spion Kop, 24 January 1900.
(Photograph courtesy of BritishBattles.com)

Map 2. The Battle of Val Krantz, 5 February 1900.
(Map by John Fawkes, BritishBattles.com)

            On the 26^th of January 1900 following the Battle at Spion Kop, the 37^th Field Company moved to Potgieter’s Drift where it was employed on the construction of a road for the transport of naval guns up Swart Kop in preparation for the action at Val Krantz.

            From the 5^th to the 7^th of February 1900 Lance Corporal Dean and his company were involved in the action at Val Krantz.  General Buller’s attack Val Krantz, on the left flank of the Boer positions around Spion Kop, began in the early hours of 5^th February 1900.

            The British long-range naval guns shelled the line of kops on the far bank of the Tugela River while the Lancashire Brigade demonstrated across the river at Potgeiter’s Drift.

The real attack force, Lyttelton’s Fourth Brigade, crossed by a pontoon bridge at Munger’s Drift, a mile to the east of Potgeiter’s and headed for Val Krantz, a hill at the bend in the river.

            The deliberate slowness with which Buller permitted Lyttelton’s force to begin the attack and the sight of the single pontoon bridge being assembled at Munger’s Drift gave the Boers ample warning that the true line of assault was up onto Val Krantz.  The battalions of the Fourth Brigade, comprising 1^st Durham Light Infantry, 3^rd King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 1^st Rifle Brigade and 2^nd Scottish Rifles (the old 90^th Light Infantry), with the 2^ndDevons from Hildyard’s brigade, scaled Val Krantz, driving the Boers from the lower slopes of the hill and coming under heavy fire from the surrounding higher positions.

            The initial plan was for Hildyard’s Brigade of 2^nd East Surreys, 2^nd Queen’s West Surreys, 2^ndDevons, and 2^nd West Yorkshires to cross the Tugela River immediately after Lyttelton and storm Green Hill. The cavalry brigade would then cross and make for Ladysmith followed by Hart’s brigade. But the ever-hesitant Buller lost all confidence in the attack as Lyttelton crossed and cancelled the order to Hildyard to cross the river, leaving Lyttelton to make the assault alone.

            The Boers, only some 1,200 in number, were led by Viljoen in a spirited defence of Val Krantz, while the Boer rifle and artillery fire built up from the surrounding hills. The Boers were in considerable difficulty. The spectacular success of the Battle of Spion Kop, reminiscent of the Boer victory on the hilltop in the First Boer War, Majuba Hill, persuaded the Boers, including General Botha, that the British would now sue for peace, as they had in 1881 and many Boers had gone home. Hurrying back in the face of the threat of a further attack by Buller, they arrived during the days of Val Krantz and afterwards.

            Buller’s reaction to the stiffening resistance was to order Lyttelton to abandon the attack and retreat. Lyttelton ignored the order and called for reinforcements.  Lyttelton urged Buller, in particular, to bring more troops across the river and attack Doorn Kloof, the hill position on his right flank. But Buller convinced himself the Boer positions were too strong to be forced. The most Buller would risk was to reinforce Lyttelton with Hildyard’s brigade.

            At dawn on 6^th February 1900, the Boer artillery began a heavy bombardment with guns that had been brought up during the night.

            Lyttelton and other generals urged Buller he had to commit more troops and expand the position by attacking Doorn Kloof. A council of war was held, but Buller could not be persuaded to take the risk.  On the Thursday night the operation was abandoned and the British troops withdrew across the Tugela River, ending the battle known as Val Krantz.  The 37^th Field Company’s part in the action involved preparing the road to move the naval guns into position.

Figure 3.  Royal Navy 4.7 inch Guns Firing at Boer Positions,

Val Krantz, 5 February 1900
(Photograph courtesy of BritishBattles.com)

            The next actions in which the 37^th Field Company took part were the Relief of Ladysmith, the action at Pieter’s Hill (27 February) and the action on Tugela Heights from the 14^th to the 27^th of February 1900.  Most of the company’s work involved assisting the infantry and artillery in the crossing of the Tugela River.

Map 3.  The Relief of Ladysmith, February 1900.
(Map courtesy of John Fawkes, BritishBattles.com)

             From March to June 1900 the 37^th Field Company was involved in operation in Natal with the 5^th Division.  During the period from the 2^nd to the 9^th of June 1900 the company took part in operations at Laing’s Nek as part of the Natal Field Force.

            On the 4^th of July the company crossed the Drachensberg Mountains with the division and halted at Volkrust to construct defences and to repair the railway line between Volkrust and Standerton.

            From July to October 1900 the 37^th Field Company took part in operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria.  On the 1^st of August Dean was promoted to the rank of Corporal by Lieutenant Charles Waldron, R.E.

                On the 10^th of May 1902 a board convened to investigate his qualifications with a view to an increased rate of Engineer Pay (also known as Service Pay) as a Painter.  Service Pay in addition, to their regular pay, was granted to men in the Royal Engineers who demonstrated proficiency in their military trades and was awarded in seven classes, with Class I being the highest.

            The board president was Captain N.G. Von Hugh, R.E. and the second board member was Lieutenant A.P. Lambert, R.E.  The following is a copy of the board results (presented to illustrate the format, procedure and results of a board of this nature as presented on Army Form A. 2. The words in italics indicate hand-written entries on the form made by the board members):

PROCEEDINGS of a  __________Board of Officers__________________                 

Assembled at ________________Newcastle_________________________

on the _____________________10^th of May 1902_____________________

_____________________________________________________________

for the purpose of _investigating the qualifications ____________________

of N^o27489 Corpl. H. J. Dean 37^th Coy______________________________

with a view to an increased rate of Engineer Pay______________________

at his trade of “Painter”_________________________________________

PRESIDENT

Captain N.G. Von Hugh R.E.

MEMBERS

Lieut. A.P. Lambert. R.E.

IN ATTENDANCE

Nil

The Board having assembled pursuant to order, proceed to

Examine tests of N^o27489 Corpl. H. J. Dean

37^th Field Coy. R.E.

These tests consist of the following:

1 Glazing of Ice House window.

2 Painting of Ice Compressor and Ice Chest

3 Lettering of Boards with figures for Remount Depot

4 Lettering of Cross for Soldiers Grave.

Corpl. Dean has also stained and varnished the floor of GOC’s Office and painted the room in two colours.

The Board consider the work to be carried out in a ‘Superior’ manner and recommend that Corpl. Dean be raised from the 4^th (Skilled) to the 3^rd (Superior) Rate of Engineer Pay.

Corpl. Dean has also done some very good work generally whilst on active service chiefly in constructing blockhouses.

Sg: N.G. Von Hugh Capt. R.E.
President

Sg: A.P. Lambert Lieut. R.E.

Approved and confirmed.

Sg: E. Agar

Major R.E.

Newcastle                                C.R.E. Newcastle

14 . 5. 02

            Corporal Dean remained with the 37^th Field Company in South Africa after the war ended and on the 14^th of May 1902 his qualification as a Superior Painter took effect.

NOTE: Painters were one of the trades sought after by the Corps of Royal Engineers along with construction trades such as carpenters, plumbers, masons and others.  However, serving as a Painter did not mean that Dean spent most of his time painting buildings, signs, or the General’s room as indicated above.  On active service he would have been employed the majority of the time on field engineering projects just like any of the other sappers in his company, but when painting was needed, he would be called upon to do it.  

            For his services in South Africa he received the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps; RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, TUGELA HEIGHTS, LAING’S NEK, TRANSVAAL and ORANGE FREE STATE.  He also was awarded the King’s South Africa Medal with two clasps; SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902.

            Dean’s duties following the war included the operation of a water supply works on the Utrecht Road, probably located between Utrecht and Newcastle on the Buffalo River.  The Buffalo is the largest tributary of the Tugela River and probably received a good deal of contamination after the battles that had taken place in the area, given the large number of men and animals employed by both sides during the battles.  On the 29^th of June 1902 Corporal Dean complained of an illness that was diagnosed as an infection he developed while working at the water supply works.  This illness was to have a significant effect on his future service in the Army and indeed probably affected his longevity.  At this point he was considered an Invalid due to the severe nature of this infection.  On the 4^th of August 1902 a Medical Board was convened to evaluate his illness.  The details of this Medical Board’s findings are included in Section 9 of this narrative.  On the 11^th of August the Medical Board recommended that Corporal Dean return home to England.  This recommendation was approved by Lieutenant Colonel J.C. Cullin, Royal Army Medical Corps, the Principal Medical Officer of No. 14 General Hospital in Newcastle, Natal.

            His illness was diagnosed as enteric fever (now known as typhoid fever) and probably resulted from fecal contamination in the water supply where he was working.  Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who is infected. Signs and symptoms usually include a high fever, headache, abdominal pain, and either constipation or diarrhea.  In all likelihood Dean contracted the disease while coming in contact with or drinking water from the water supply works where he was serving. 

            There are a number of serious complications associated with enteric fever, one or more of which may have affected Dean.  Some of these complications include inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves (endocarditis), pneumonia, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), kidney or bladder infections and infection and inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).  It is quite possible that due to the nature of the treatment that he received, or perhaps due to the lack of proper treatment, Dean might have developed a heart-related condition that was instrumental in shortening his life.

Home Service (1902-1903)

            On the 12^th of September 1902 Corporal Dean departed South Africa for home where he would only serve for one year and 74 days before being posted abroad again.  He arrived at Chatham on the 28^th of March 1903 and on the 25^th of August of that year he re-engaged to complete 21 years of service.[xviii]  He was serving in “E” Company of the Royal Engineers Depot Battalion at the time under the command of Captain W. James Heley, R.E.  Heley had been a prisoner of war captured near Brugspruit on the 19^th of February 1901 and had subsequently been released by the Boers after the war.

Service in Canada (1903-1906)

            As part of his application to re-engage, Dean was found fit for continued service and on the 26^th of November 1903 he was posted for service in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where he arrived on the 4^th of December and was posted to serve with the 18^th Fortress Company, R.E.

            On the 24^th of January 1904 Corporal Dean was qualified as a Very Superior Painter by the Commander Royal Engineers in Canada.  He was granted Service Pay, Class I on the 1^st of April 1904 and was awarded a First Class Certificate of Education[xix] on the 28^th of March 1905.  The final honour bestowed on him while serving with the 18^th Company was his promotion to the rank of Sergeant on the 1^st of October 1905.

Home Service (1906-1915)

            Sergeant Dean served in Canada for 2 years and 110 days before being posted home again.  He arrived at Chatham on the 16^th of March 1906.  On the 22^nd of May 1906 he was posted to Falmouth in Cornwall where he remained until the 24^th of March 1908 when he was posted to the 11^th Field Company at Aldershot, Hampshire.

            On the 14^th of August 1919 Corporal Dean was promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant Major in the 11^th Field Company by Captain J.M. Hendon, R.E.  He transferred to “M” Depot Company at Chatham on the 1^st of September 1910 and according to the 1911 Census of England and Wales his residence was Chattenden Barracks, near Rochester, in Chattenden, Frindsbury, Kent.  Presumably he was the Company Sergeant Major of “M” Depot Company, as the census shows this as his rank.  It also shows that he was unmarried.

            Dean was promoted to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant Foreman of Works and was transferred to the School of Military Engineering at Chatham on the 10^th of May 1911.  He had served in the ranks for a total of 21 years and 227 days.  In October of 1911 QMS Dean was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal[xx] by Army Order 280 of that year. 

            It appears that sometime in early 1912 Dean got the notion that he would like to serve in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).  Many officers and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Engineers applied for service in the RFC and in fact the RFC was an offspring of the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Air Force.  On the 10^th of June 1912 he presented himself to the military hospital in Chatham where he underwent a medical examination as part of his application to transfer to the RFC.  He was found fit for transfer, but for some reason not explained in his service papers this transfer never took place.  He was 34 years old at this time, and perhaps his age had something to do with it.  Serving in a corps to fly the rickety flying machines of the time may have been considered the work for a younger man.

            On the 1^st of September 1913 QMS Dean was serving in “L” Depot Company at Chatham.  As Dean intended to apply to continue his service beyond 21 years[xxi] his performance up to that point in his career was rated by his commanding officer.  His military character was rated as “Exemplary” with a remark by Lieutenant H.St.G. Bond, R.E. stating that Dean was “A good type of man, well educated, smart and intelligent.”  Dean was again medically examined on the 4^th of February 1914 in the Chatham hospital and was found fit to continue service beyond 21 years.

            On the 9^th of March 1914 QMS Dean was admitted to the hospital at Chatham where he was treated for varicocele.  This ailment will be described in Section 9 below.  After surgery to correct this condition he was released from hospital on the 30^th of March 1914 and returned to duty.

Commissioned Service (1915-1916)

            Quartermaster Sergeant Henry James Dean was discharged from the ranks to accept a commission in the Royal Engineers on the 17^th of April 1915.  His total service on this date towards his engagement and towards his pension amounted to 21 years and 304 days.  On the following day he was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and on the 18^th of August 1915 he was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant (Adjutant), R.E.  He was posted to the 4^th Labour Battalion, R.E. and on the 26^th of August 1915 he landed in France.        During June of 1915 both Royal Engineer and infantry labour battalions had been formed in England and sent overseas for work in army areas, mainly on road maintenance work. These units were formed from men of the navvy class and from men who were over military age or from men who, because of wounds, injury or illness, were no longer fit for front line combat service. The overage personnel were enlisted at a special rate of pay of 3 shillings per day.  Now, at 37 years of age, this type of assignment appears to have been well suited for Dean, especially given his medical condition.  Although he had undergone repeated medical examinations since his severe infection in South Africa in 1902, and although he had repeatedly been found fit to serve, there was an underlying medical problem that appears to have gone undetected for many years, a problem that ultimately would take his life at the age of 40 years.

            While in France Dean was appointed a Temporary Captain on the 27^th of September 1915, but he relinquished this temporary rank on the 7^th of February 1916, probably due to ill health.  On the 10^th of March 1916 a medical board was convened to evaluate his health.  The board found him to be unfit for General Service, but fit for 6 months Home Service on light duty.  It was recommended that he be given three months home leave until the 9^th of June 1916.

            Back in England another medical board convened on the 11^th of June 1916 to again evaluate Lieutenant Dean’s state of health.  This board found him unfit for any service and recommended that he be given 6 month’s leave until the 10^th of November 1916.  At the conclusion of his leave he was placed on the half-pay list effective the 24^th of December 1916 due to ill health contracted on active service.  Nowhere in his military records does it indicate what this ill health consisted of, although it may have been the results of his bout with enteric (typhoid) fever in South Africa in 1902.[xxii] 

            Despite the short time that Dean spent in France during the Great War, he was authorized the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service.

            Henry James Dean died on the 27^th of August 1918, presumably from the illness, or the after-effects of the illness, that he contracted while on active service in 1902.  As previously indicated, Dean may have developed a complication from his bout with enteric fever in South Africa, which may have affected his heart. 

            Dean’s residence at the time of his death was Cooks Hill, Mundesley, Norfolk.  He was buried in the Mundesley (All Saints) Churchyard in Erpingham, Norfolk.  As far as could be determined from his military service papers, he was a bachelor at the time of his death.  It should be noted that there is a hospital located at Cooks Hill in Mundesley, so Dean may not have been residing in a home there, but rather, he may have been a patient in that hospital.

Figure 4.  The Grave of Captain H.J. Dean, R.E.

            The following sections of this narrative summarize the key events in the life of Henry James Dean.  They are presented in tabular form to allow the reader to see the significance events in his life and when they occurred.

7.  PROMOTIONS AND CONDUCT

a.  Promotions:  Henry James Dean received promotions shown in Table 4.

Table 4.  The Promotions or Appointments of Captain Henry James Dean, R.E.

b.  Conduct:  Henry James Dean received the following Good Conduct Badges during his time in service.

Table 5.  The Good Conduct Badges Received by Henry James Dean
While Serving in the Ranks

                       These extra payments and badges are only awarded to men from the corporal downward.  Since Dean was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1900 he would no longer receive additional Good Conduct Pay. 

8.  EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

a.  Education:   Henry James Dean earned the Certificates of Education shown in Table 6 during his time in service:

Table 6.  Henry James Dean’s Certificates of Education.

b.      Qualifications:  Henry James Dean earned the qualifications shown in Table 7.

Table 7.  Henry James Dean’s Military Qualifications.

 9.  MEDICAL INFORMATION  

            The following medical information was taken from Henry James Dean service records during his time in service.

Table 8.  The Medical History of Captain Henry James Dean, R.E.

 NOTE  (1):  A Medical Board convened to prepare a Detailed History of an Invalid (Army Form B. 179.  The following is the results of this board:

 1.- Station                                           Newcastle, Natal

2.- Regiment or Corps                         37th Company Royal Engineers

3.- Regimental No. and Rank             27489 Corporal

4.- Name                                             Dean, Henry James

5.- Age last Birthday                          24 years

6.- Enlisted on                                     15 June 1893 at Chatham

7.- Former Trade or Occupation         House Painter

8.- General remarks on his: -               Defaulters Sheet not obtainable

(a) Conduct

(b) Habits

(c) Temperance

                                                            Date 4^th August 1902                                               

 10.- Disease or Disability                    Enteric Fever.  N^o 17        

Countersigned

S.R. Miles, R.A.M.C.                                                              Harold M. Cory

Medical Officer in charge Milit. Div.                                      Civil Surgeon

OPINION OF THE MEDICAL BOARD

(In which it should be stated how far the Board concurs in the above Report)  

The Board concurs in the above Report & recommends that No 27489 Cpl. H.J. Dean be invalided to England for change  

Signatures:-                             J.C. Culling, Lt.Col, R.A.M.C  
President

 Station Newcastle                   [?] S. Kingsley, Major, R.A.M.C.  Members

Natal                           T.M. Parry, Lieut, R.A.M.C.   

Approved  

Date  11^th August 1902

J.C. Cullin, Lt. Col. R.A.M.C.

Principal Medical Officer

No. 14 General Hospital

 NOTE (2):  A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is an enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds the testicles (scrotum). A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein you might see in the leg. Varicoceles are a common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality, which can cause infertility.  

10.  MARRIAGE AND PERSONAL INFORMATION  

            Henry James Dean remained a bachelor all of his life.  As indicated in Section 2 of this work, he came from a large family with his grandfather (312 Sergeant William Dean), his father (4258 Sapper George Dean) and one brother (Captain William George Dean) serving in the Corps of Royal Engineers.  Of his siblings, only the following information is known.

·         His brother, William George Dean also served in the Royal Engineers, enlisting as a Boy Soldier and then serving in the ranks as a Sergeant Major.  He subsequently was commissioned and rose to the rank of Captain.  His medals are in the author’s collection.  

·         His sister, Sophia Matilda Dean, was married in Dover, Kent in 1890.

·         His brother, Richard C. Dean, may have served in the Royal Engineers during the Great War.  A Medal Index Card exists for a man by this name, 1310 (514544) Warrant Officer Class 2 Richard C. Dean who was entitled to both the British War Medal and Victory Medal.  With such a large number of the Dean family serving in the Royal Engineers, this man may very well have been the brother of Henry James Dean.

·         His brother, David Thomas Dean died in 1949.  Medal Index Cards for the Great War indicate that four men by this name served.  They were:

2337 Corporal David T. Dean, Army Ordnance Corps

31726 Corporal David T. Dean, Devonshire Regiment

M-347962 Private David T. Dean, Army Service Corps

109637 Warrant Officer Class 2 David Dean, later 2^nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers.  Although no middle initial is given for this man, the Royal Engineers connection cannot be ignored. 

·         His brother Pritchard George Dean died in 1934.  No indication of military service has been found.  He would have been 30 years old at the start of the Great War.

·         His brother, Frederick G. Dean, died in 1941.  He would have been 26 years old at the start of the Great War.  Medal Index Cards indicate that three men by this name served.  They were:

99123 Gunner Frederick G. Dean, R.G.A., later M/38499 Army Service Corps

1581 Private Frederick G. Dean, Hertfordshire Regiment, later 27009 Somerset Light Infantry.

36577 Gunner Frederick G. Dean, Royal Garrison Artillery.  

No positive connection has been made between any of these men and the Royal Engineers Dean family.

·         His grandfather, 312 Sergeant William Dean, R.E., died in 1883 and his grandmother, Mary Ann Dean (née Edwards) died in 1864.  

·         His father 4258 Sapper George Dean served in the Royal Engineers.  George Dean served in the Indian Mutiny and in the 1860 China War.  His date of death is not known.  His medals also are in the author’s collection.   

·         His mother, Harriett Hannah Dean, died in 1917.

11.  DISCHARGE  

            Henry James Dean apparently was still in the Army (on the half-pay list) when he died.  His total service was reckoned as shown in the tables below:

Table 9.  Geographic Areas and Periods of Service where Henry James Dean Served.

NOTE: The day he was placed on the half-pay list (24 December 1916) has been taken to be his last day in the Army.

Table 10. Total Service of Captain Henry James Dean at Home and Abroad.  

 12.  POST SERVICE LIFE  

            The post service life of Captain Henry James Dean is considered to have lasted from the 24^th of December 1916, when he was placed on the half-pay list, until the date of his death on the 27^th of August 1918.  No information has been found to indicate what he did during this period, although it may be assumed that the nature of his illness was such that he was incapacitated and perhaps was restricted to convalescence at his home or in a medical facility in Norfolk. 

APPENDIX A. RECRUITMENT OF BOY SOLDIERS  

The following information is quoted from Skelley (1977):*  

            “Boy enlistment was a traditional method of augmenting recruitment.  Regiments consisting entirely of boys had been formed at an earlier date, but the last had disappeared in 1802.  Between 1859 and 1899 regulations specified that the number was not to exceed 2 per cent of the establishment.  Boys were taken on from the age of fifteen and served an apprenticeship until they reached the normal age of enlistment.  During this time they were taught one of two or three trades.  Nearly three-quarters of the boys recruited underwent training as musicians (i.e. drummers and buglers), the remainder as tailors and shoemakers.  On reaching the minimum age for enlistment, boys formally joined the regiment to which they were attached.  What was new was the suggestion inspired by the practices of the Royal Navy, of a comprehensive training scheme.  Borrowing directly from the navy’s experience, many advocated that special training schools be set up, and that the establishment of boys at the Royal Military Asylum and the Royal Hibernian Military School be substantially increased.”

APPENDIX B: PERIODS OF ENLISTMENT FOR THE CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS  

The following data is quoted from Grierson (1899):*  

For Engineers except Army Postal Service, Telegraph and Railway Reserve of the Engineers and Submarine Miners Reserve of the Engineers:  

“Seven years active and five years reserve, or three years active and nine years reserve at the option of the recruit; but in proportions settled by the War Office, with the [obligation of an additional year in active service if the soldier has been in garrison abroad (and eight years in the reserve)].  Drivers of the Engineers are enlisted for only three years active and nine years reserve.”  

For Army Postal Service, Telegraph and Railway Reserve of the Engineers:  

“Three years active and three years reserve.  These recruits may be transferred to the reserve immediately after enlistment, or may be discharged, if there is no employment for them in the postal service, or with any railway company.”  

For Submarine Miners Reserve of the Engineers:  

“Three years active and three years reserve.  These recruits are transferred to the reserve immediately after enlistment.”  

“The last two categories of recruits have to serve with the volunteers and are trained by them.  

Recruits wishing to join the engineers . . . must be able to read and write, and for the corps of engineers they must have learnt some trade useful in the service.”

APPENDIX C. CERTIFICATES OF EDUCATION  

The following information is quoted from Skelley (1977):*  

            “In 1861 a new inducement towards learning was the army certificate of education.  On the recommendation of the Council of Military Education three levels or standards were set out and were linked with promotion in the ranks.  The third-class certificate specified the standard for promotion to the rank of corporal: the candidate was to read aloud and to write from dictation passages from an easy narrative, and to work examples in the four compound rules of arithmetic and the reduction of money.  A second-class certificate, necessary for promotion to sergeant, entailed writing and dictation from a more difficult work, familiarity with all forms of regimental accounting, and facility with proportions and interest, fractions and averages.  First-class certificates were a great deal more difficult and were required for commissions from the ranks.  Successful candidates had to read and take dictation from any standard author; make a fair copy of a manuscript; demonstrate their familiarity with more complicated mathematics, except cube and square root and stocks and discount; and as well prepare for examination in at least one of a number of additional subjects.  After 1887 candidates were examined in British history and geography in place of a special subject.  First-class certificates were awarded on the results of periodic examinations held by the Council (later Director-General) of Military Education.  Second and third-class certificates were presented on the recommendations of the Army schoolmaster.”

            “The third-class certificate of education was considered to be too high given the level of literacy of many army recruits, and the Commission+ urged the introduction of a fourth (minimum) standard.”** 

APPENDIX D. DUTIES OF A ROYAL ENGINEERS BUGLER  

The following is a description of the duties of a Boy Bugler at Chatham as related by Captain Henry Corke, R.E., an ex-Bugler:(*)

            “Reveille was blown at 0600 hours in the summer months at 0630 in the winter.  Defaulters paraded a quarter of an hour after reveille, in full marching order and at the call of the bugle.  Breakfast followed shortly after when, again to the sound of the bugle’s clarion call, everyone paraded and marched to the cookhouse.  Within an hour the main morning parade took place.  For this a sustained ‘G’ was blown five minutes before parade time, followed by the ‘Fall In’ which brought all the troops on to the parade square at the same time!  Another call summoned the sick to sick parade and yet another for ‘Orderly Room’.  This was held at 1000 hours if there were any disciplinary cases to be heard by the CO (Saturdays and Sundays excepted).

            At Brompton Barracks, the bugle heralded the start and finish of recruit drill and training sessions; mail distribution once a day; fire alarms and fire drills.  The first appearance of the CO, at 0900 hours, was recognized by the duty bugler, when all personnel on or near the square were brought to attention until dismissed by the CO with a ‘Carry on, please!’  The duty bugler was also in attendance when the main guard was called out by the sentry on post for every call made officially on its services.  In fact, the bugler was used to communicate every instruction of a general nature.  There was a call for everything we did.  After the ‘Tea” call at, say 1630-1700 hours, the main defaulters parade of the day was held when all those on jankers (defaulter’s punishment) paraded in full marching order.  There was ‘officers dress’ and ‘officers mess’ at 2000 hours followed by the ‘First Post’ at 2130 hours and ‘Last Post’ at 2200 hours.  The main guard turned out and stood with arms presented for the duration of the playing of the Last Post.  Lights out ended the normal round of calls for the day.

            At Brompton, it was the practice for the orderly officer to inspect the main guard at odd times during the silent hours so there was little or no respite for the duty bugler.  It was a very long and busy day on main guard duty, for a bugler more than anyone.  Erring buglers found guilty of misdemeanors were given additional duty with the main guard.

            Thus, it was not until one looked back upon one’s recruit days in Chatham that one realised how busy buglers were and how the establishment depended upon their efficiency for the running of the unit.”

APPENDIX E. GOOD CONDUCT PAY

The following information is quoted from Grierson (1899): *
            “For good conduct, which means, that the soldier has never been punished, he receives further extra pay (Good Conduct Pay).  The daily rate amounts to 1d.  The recipient wears a badge in the shape of a ^, pointing upwards, on the lower sleeve of the left arm.  The first of these badges is awarded after 2, the second after 6, and the third up to the sixth respectively after 12, 18, 23, and 28 years of service.  Every badge brings an extra penny a day.  In case of punishment the soldier forfeits this extra pay or a part of it, but can recover it by good conduct.  These extra payments and badges are only awarded to men from the corporal downward.”
Over the years during the Victorian period there were several sets of rules governing the award of Good Conduct badges as shown below:+

·         The 1836 and 1854 rules awarded badges at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. 

·         The 1860 rules awarded badges at 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, and 38 years of service. 

·         The 1870 rules awarded badges at 2, 6, 12, 18, 23, and 28 years of service. 

·         The 1876 rules awarded badges at 2, 5, 12, 16, 18, 21, and 26 years of service. 

·         The 1885 rules awarded badges at 2, 6, 12, 18, 23, and 28 years of service. 

APPENDIX F. RE-ENGAGEMENT IN THE REGULAR ARMY  

The following information is quoted from Grierson (1899):*  

            “To strengthen the cadres still more and to make provision for such men as desire to earn their living in the army, certain classes of soldiers are allowed to engage for 21 years, and by this means earn a pension.  The terms are as follows:-

a. Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants of the corps of Army Schoolmasters have the right after 11 years’ service, and those of other arms after 9 years’ service to engage for 21 years.

b.  Corporals, bombardiers, second corporals, bandsmen, pipers and artificers may be allowed with the consent of the commander of the battalions, &c., to engage for 21 years after 9 years’ service; trumpeters, drummers, and buglers after 11 years’ service.

c.  Other soldiers may have leave given them by the commander of the battalion, &c., to engage for 21 years, if they have earned two “good conduct” badges.  (But as a rule this leave is granted only to men in special posts such as officers’ servants, mess waiters, &c.).

APPENDIX G. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal  

            The original award of this medal in 1830 was for soldiers of “exemplary conduct” for 21 years in the infantry and corps and 24 years in the cavalry. In 1870 this period was reduced to 18 years for all soldiers. This was done partially so that the medal could be worn by a soldier before his discharge to show off his example of ‘exemplary’ service to the other men of his unit and the army.

  APPENDIX H. CONTINUANCE WITH THE REGULAR ARMY AFTER 21 YEARS’ SERVICE  

The following is quoted from Grierson (1888):*  

            “In many cases Warrant Officers and Non-commissioned Officers, and in rare cases even Privates, are allowed to continue in the service after 21 years, and thus earn a higher pension.  Leave for such a continuance of service must be obtained from higher authorities, without which nobody has a right to it.  The only exceptions are those cases, where non-commissioned officers and men on duty at the depots or in the cadres of the militia, yeomanry, or volunteers are authorized by the commanders of their regimental district.  Men on such prolonged service may claim their discharge at any time upon three months’ notice.”  

REFERENCES  

Army Lists  

1. Monthly Army List, January 1916, Part 1, p. 1550.
2. Quarterly Army List, October 1916, p. 1508a.
3. Monthly Army List, June 1919, p.1629e.
4. Monthly Army List, January 1921, p. 442.

Books

PORTER, W. History of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Volume 3.  The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham, Kent, 1952.

Census

1. 1881 Census of Wales (RG11/5414).
2. 1891 Census of England and Wales (RG12/746).
3. 1911 Census of England and Wales.

 Family Trees  

1. Barnes Family Tree

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/21756848/person/28100590903/facts?_phsrc=iWN181&_phstart=successSource  

2. Watkins48A

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/44863470/person/6268481341/facts?_phsrc=iWN151&_phstart=successSource  

Internet Web Sites  

1. BritishBattles.com. https://www.britishbattles.com/
2. Great Ships. https://greatships.net/canada
3. Warfare History Network. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/military-history/an-acre-of-massacre-the-second-boer-wars-battle-of-spion-kop/

London Gazette  

1. Supplement to the London Gazette, 4 November 1915, p. 10899.
2. The London Gazette, 11 April 1916, p. 3805.
3. Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 December 1916, p. 12567.

Medal Rolls  

1. Royal Engineers Queen’s South Africa Medal Roll, 37^th Field Company, R.E., dated 11 July 1901.
2. Medal Index Card of Captain Henry James Dean, R.E.
3. Royal Engineers Medal Roll, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
4. Royal Engineers Medal Roll, 1914-15 Star.

Official Documents  

Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, General Register Office, BXBY733067, dated 19 October 1999.  

Registers  

1. 1919 Probate Calendar.

2.     2.  England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 for Henry J Dean, 1918, Q3-Jul-Aug-Sep. 

3. Register of Soldiers Effects, 19 November 1918.

Service Papers  

1. Long Service Attestation (12 Years with the Colours).
2. Description on Enlistment.
3. Inside Sheet for Original Attestation (Army Form B.104 – 53.).
4. Statement of Services (Army Form B. 200.)
5. Military History Sheet.
6. Medical History.
7. Casualty Form – Active Service (Army Form B. 103.).
8. Regimental Conduct Sheet (Army Form B. 120.).
9. Employment Sheet (Army Form B. 2066.).
10. Detailed Medical History of an Invalid (Army Form B. 179.).
11. Descriptive Return of a Soldier Desirous of Continuing Service Beyond 21 Years (Army Form B. 221.).
12. National Insurance Act (Army Form O. 1832.).
13. Re-Engagement Paper (Army Form B. 136.).
14. Certificate of Trade Proficiency (Army Form B. 195.).
15. Trade and Special Qualifications.
16. Summary of Officer Promotions.

APPENDIX FOOTNOTES: