Dennis's Story.
Son of George and Emma Baugh, in 1911 the census shows that that George and Emma had been married for 22 years, they had 8 children of which 3 had died, 4 of the surviving children were living in the family home, 32 Grosvenor Street, Rock Ferry. They were, George William 18, Dennis 15, Emma 12, and John 10.Dennis enlisted shortly after war commenced and was posted to the 9th battalion Cheshire Regiment. He went to France on 19 July 1915.
His medal index card confirms the date he went to France, the listing of the Labour Corps is an error. Dennis was transferred to the 13th battalion Cheshire Regiment after recovering from wounds.
The medal roll confirms the two battalions he served with.
Birkenhead News, Wednesday 7, November 1917.
Mr. and Mrs. Baugh, 32 Grosvenor Street, Rock Ferry, have been officially informed of the death in action in France of their son Private Dennis Baugh.
Pte. Baugh joined the Cheshire Regiment shortly after war commenced, being then employed by Messrs. Cammell, Laird and Co. Ltd., where his father and two brothers work also. He was first wounded in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and sent home to Paisley Hospital. He quickly recovered from his wounds and was again sent to the front. After taking part in the Battle of the Somme he was wounded for the second time, being sent on this occasion to a hospital in Glasgow. He had a rather severe wound in the arm which necessitated several operations which were successful. He was transferred to another battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, being drafted to the front with a Lewis Gun Section. It was whilst serving with that section that a bomb exploded in the midst of a party of soldiers, and Private Baugh and two of his comrades were killed instantaneously. A letter of sympathy has been received by the late soldier’s parents from his Lieutenant.
On 5 October 1917, the 13th Cheshires were near Cambrin, a village 8 kilometres east of the French town of Bethune. Over the following days, they furnished various working parties but were not involved in combat. The Battalion's War Diary records that, on the 10th, three soldiers were killed and another two wounded. However, when regimental records were published after the War (a publication known as Soldiers Died in the Great War), only one man, Thomas Hulland, is recorded and he is noted as having died of wounds, rather than being killed outright. This is an error, Thomas was killed in action, along with Dennis, his listing in Soldiers Died is also incorrect, and the third soldier was Peter Joyce, who is listed as serving with the 1st battalion but was attached to the 13th battalion, all three men are buried side by side at Cambrin.
Birkenhead News, 19 October, 1918, a year after Dennis had been killed.
A year later in 1919 the family placed a ‘In Memoriam’ in the Birkenhead News, dated Saturday October 11, 1919.
In loving memory of my dear son Private Dennis Baugh who was killed, 10 October 1917, aged 23. Sadly missed by Father and Mother, Sisters and Brothers, and friends.
Our home was filled with sorrow,
Our aching hearts are sad;
For war has done its cruel work,
And robbed of us of our lad.
We often sit and think of you,
Your name we oft recall,
But there’s nothing left to answer,
But your photo on the wall.
The orginal grave marker.
His grave in Cambrin Military Cemetery.
The soldiers effects register shows the war gratuity paid to his father in 1919.
His memorial plaque, also known as the 'dead man's penny.'
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank Dennis Beacham for the pictures and cuttings.