DENNY Charles

Charles, known as Charlie, was born in Suffolk, England in 1899. He was aged 26 when he arrived in Australia. After settling in Gnowangerup, he worked for a short time as a surveyor, before resuming his trade qualification as a butcher.  He joined Jim Grocock at the Gnowangerup Butcher’s Shop and they ran the business together until the outbreak of the WWI

Charlie enlisted at Tambellup in December 1915. His marriage to Martha Ellen Whitt in February 1916 was described in an article in the “Gnowangerup Star” as “Gnowangerup’s First Military Wedding”.  

Charlie left Australia in April 1916 and served in Palestine and the Western Front. He was transferred to the Camel Corps from the Light Horse and was trained as a Lewis and Vickers Gunner.

He returned to Australia in July 1919 and was granted land on the Pallinup Soldier Settlement Scheme. Together with Nellie they farmed ‘Denton Park’ and raised a family of four daughters -Mavis, Jean, Mary & Grace- and a son, Russell.  All the children attended the Pallinup State School, which was about 4 kilometres from their home. Charlie was a staunch supporter of sports, and was the Secretary for the Inter School Athletics in 1941.

CHARLIE DENNY                 #1
 

CHARLIE DENNY  & HIS MATES                #2
 

 CHARLIE DENNY  ON A CAMEL                #3
 

MARTHA DENNY'S HEADSTONE                 #4
 

In 1923 Charlie was one of the 10^th Light Horsemen chosen to form a guard of honour for the Governor, Sir Francis Newdegate, when he opened the Gnowangerup Memorial Hall.

Throughout his life, Charlie was a noted animal and bird lover and kept detailed journals of the bird-life on his property. In July 1941, Charlie joined the Volunteer Defence Corps in Gnowangerup, which had been formed at the outbreak of WWII. The family was to face a devastating loss when their only son, Russell, was killed in England during pilot training in 1943. Charlie never recovered from his loss.

Charlie died in Gnowangerup on 3 March 1965 aged 78 years, and is buried at the Gnowangerup Cemetery. Nellie died ten years later in 1975, aged 80 years, and is buried in the adjacent grave.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      Research by Merilyn Stewart

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024