Robert Dean

Story:
Robert Dean was born on 26 Feb 1894 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 1st April 1894 the son of Herbert Francis Dean, a carpenter, and Kate Ellen Dean (née Adams). By 1901 the family had moved to Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset. By 1911 Robert was working as carpenter's apprentice. He enlisted on 3rd December 1915 but was not mobilized until 22nd January 1916 when he joined the Royal Engineers as a Private (Service No. 146048). After training and passing his proficiency Test as a Carpenter he was posted to France on 25 Jun 1916 as a Sapper. Records show he was admitted to hospital in December 1916 after which he returned to duty. He was admitted to hospital again on 3rd August 1917 and transferred back to England on 24th August 1917 to the Red Cross Hospital at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, where he remained until 24th October 1917. Just prior to his hospitalization he was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 155th Field Company per an announcement in the London Gazette on 17th July 1917 - no citation can be found except for a medal certificate. The medal awarded was numbered 93815. Following his recovery he was posted to the 17th Field Company on 3rd April 1918. After the Armistice he found himself in the Rhine Area of Germany and it was from here he proceeded to England for discharge on 30th September 1919. He was also awarded the Victory and British War medals. He married Dorothy Nellie Pepper on 8 Nov 1919 at Christ Church, Newark, Nottinghamshire. They went on to have two children. The 1921 Census shows him living at 44 Askern Road, Carcroft, Adwick le Street, West Riding, Yorkshire, working still as a Carpenter on buildings. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 64 Headstone Lane, Harrow, Middlesex, where he was described as a carpenter and joiner. He died in the Brent, Greater London, area during 1971 aged 77 years.