WW1 and Dennis Huntington (1891-1956)

HMS Ramillies

HMS Birkenhead

Devonport

HMS Ramillies, HMS Birkenhead and the naval base Devonport (Vivid I) during WW1

The joy of delving into your ancestors' lives is that it brings you closer as you uncover more about their existence. These small insights into their daily routines open windows through which we catch the briefest glimpses, allowing us to know them just a little better.

My Grandad, Dennis Huntington, was born on December 11, 1891, in Little Smeaton, West Yorkshire. He enlisted in the Navy on March 2, 1916, and was assigned to Vivid I in Devonport. From his records, we know he was small in stature, standing only 5 feet 4.5 inches tall with a 37-inch chest.

Although there is a ship called Vivid, Vivid I was used as one of the nominal bases established for personnel on detached duty and attached to HMS Vivid for accounting purposes. Historically, if sailors were not assigned to a ship, they would not get paid, so shore duties were assigned ship names.

Vivid I was the Seamanship, Signalling and Telegraphy School in Devonport.
Vivid II was the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport
Vivid III was used for the Royal Naval Division Trawler Section.
Vivid IV was for personnel at Falmouth (Cornwall) and what was then Queenstown in Ireland from 1922 to 1923.
Vivid V was used for personnel at Milford Haven (South Wales).

Dennis was assigned to Vivid I for two periods. The first was when he initially enlisted, so it makes sense that he went to Vivid for his training.

Following his training, Dennis was stationed on HMS Birkenhead for almost 12 months, from 1 July 1916 to March 1917.

Afterward, Dennis returned to Vivid I from 9 March to 4 May 1917. This, I assume, was shore leave following his service tour aboard the Birkenhead.

From May 5, 1917, to April 21, 1919, Dennis was assigned to HMS Ramillies. The ship was fully commissioned in September 1917, indicating that Dennis was likely among the first sailors to serve on board. During World War I, the ship did not engage in combat because both the British and German fleets had adopted more cautious strategies due to the growing threat of naval mines and submarines. Initially, the ship was one of several being constructed for the Greek Government. However, during the war, the British Government purchased and commissioned them for the British Navy. After the war, the ship went on to serve in World War II, where it participated in military action.

Dennis' naval record

Dennis' military record characterises him as having a Very Good character. He began his naval career as an Ordinary Seaman, the lowest rank in the navy. By June 2017, he had advanced to the rank of Able Seaman, which was the rank he held upon leaving the navy. For his service, Dennis received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Dennis was discharged in 1919. According to the 1921 Census, he returned home to live with his parents, Thomas and Florence Huntington, and took a job in the local woollen weaving industry at Trafalgar Mills on Leeds Road, Huddersfield, as a Twister. However, in 1921, he was unemployed, likely due to the 1920s depression. Considering his exemplary service in the Navy, it seems more probable that his unemployment was caused by external factors rather than his own actions.

Dennis married Hannah Ledgard when he was 35, and together they raised three children.

I never got to meet my Grandad because he passed away in 1956 at the age of 64 from lung cancer, five years before I was born. However, researching his history brings me closer to him. I know some basic facts about his life, even though I'll never fully understand what drove him or what he was truly like as a son, brother, husband, or father. Despite having limited information, I still feel very proud that, like many others, my Grandad fulfilled his duty and served in the Great War.

Dennis is remembered in the Imperial War Museum's 'Lives of the First World War' project - his entry can be found here

Dennis as a young boy with his niece, Esther.

Dennis Huntington's Family Line

Henry Huntington

(1612 - )

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Henry Huntington

(1628 - )

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Henry Huntington

(1657 - )

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Richard Huntington

(1679 - )

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Thomas Huntington

(1711 - )

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Joseph Huntington

(1749 - )

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Thomas Huntington

(1774 - 1831)

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Robert Huntington

(1829 - 1901)

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Thomas Huntington

(1855 - 1925) |

Dennis Huntington WW1 Veteran

(1891 - 1956)