12 Facts About Reginald Denning

Reginald Denning was born in Whitchurch, Hampshire, in 1894 to Charles and Clara Denning.

Reginald Denning's siblings included Alfred Thompson "Tom" Denning and Norman Denning.

Reginald Denning joined the British Army at the beginning of the First World War as a private with the Queen's Westminsters, and was sent to serve on the Western Front in 1914, where he was posted to Ypres.

Reginald Denning initially refused to apply for a commission until his elder brother forced him to, and in 1915 he was commissioned in the Bedfordshire Regiment.

Reginald Denning was left for dead and recovered consciousness about twelve hours later.

Reginald Denning served for six years as an adjutant, three years for each regular battalion, and in 1925 attended the Staff College, Camberley.

Reginald Denning left the regiment in 1936, again to join the staff, and helped prepare the British Expeditionary Force.

Reginald Denning was promoted to major general in 1943 to lead the planning for D-Day; he asked to be demoted to brigadier so he would be allowed to take part in the landings themselves, but this request was denied.

In 1947 Reginald Denning was made Chief of Staff Eastern Command and was made Colonel of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.

Reginald Denning retired in 1952 with the rank of Colonel in the regiment and helped organise the merging of the county regiments into larger units, forming the Royal Anglian Regiment and serving as its first Colonel.

Reginald Denning was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in thanks for his work.

Reginald Denning was a Deputy lieutenant for Essex between 1959 and 1968.