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Frederick Harry Denton
Description
TitleFrederick Harry Denton
Alternative NameHarry DentonSummaryA Southbridge-born airman in WW2 who won a Distinguished Flying Medal in 1945.DescriptionHarry crash-landed a Lancaster bomber after it was hit twice in a raid near the Dortmund-Ems canal on 1 January 1945. The first hit had blown a hole in the fuselage while the second knocked out an engine and destroyed the pilot's canopy. Two crew members died in the event: one of these, Wireless Operator George Thompson was awarded a Victoria Cross posthumously, dying from his burns after he rescued two crew members from the fire. (Source: The Press, Volume CX, Issue 32340, 4 July 1970, Page 1)First NameFrederickMiddle NameHarryLast NameDentonOccupationFarmer and airmanDate of Birth25 March 1920Date of Death10 December 2006Age at Death86Other Biographical InformationHarry attended Southbridge High School, becoming Dux of the primary school in 1933.
He married Enid Alice Cain on 4 April 1950 at Dunsandel Presbyterian Church.
Medals and Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 18 February 1945 AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
Harry piloted an aircraft in an operation to attack Dortmund Ems Canal for which Wireless Operator Flight Sergeant George Thompson RAFVR was posthuously awarded the Victoria Cross. Source: Hanson, By Such Deeds, p.158. AWMM
Harry became a sheep farmer after the war, farming in Amberley, enjoying lawn bowls in his retirement. He is buried in plot 2935 at Balcairn Cemetery.
Alternative NameHarry DentonSummaryA Southbridge-born airman in WW2 who won a Distinguished Flying Medal in 1945.DescriptionHarry crash-landed a Lancaster bomber after it was hit twice in a raid near the Dortmund-Ems canal on 1 January 1945. The first hit had blown a hole in the fuselage while the second knocked out an engine and destroyed the pilot's canopy. Two crew members died in the event: one of these, Wireless Operator George Thompson was awarded a Victoria Cross posthumously, dying from his burns after he rescued two crew members from the fire. (Source: The Press, Volume CX, Issue 32340, 4 July 1970, Page 1)First NameFrederickMiddle NameHarryLast NameDentonOccupationFarmer and airmanDate of Birth25 March 1920Date of Death10 December 2006Age at Death86Other Biographical InformationHarry attended Southbridge High School, becoming Dux of the primary school in 1933.He married Enid Alice Cain on 4 April 1950 at Dunsandel Presbyterian Church.
Medals and Awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 18 February 1945 AWMM
War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
Harry piloted an aircraft in an operation to attack Dortmund Ems Canal for which Wireless Operator Flight Sergeant George Thompson RAFVR was posthuously awarded the Victoria Cross. Source: Hanson, By Such Deeds, p.158. AWMM
Harry became a sheep farmer after the war, farming in Amberley, enjoying lawn bowls in his retirement. He is buried in plot 2935 at Balcairn Cemetery.
Connections
More InformationCenotaph record of Harry Denton's military service1933 account of Harry Denton becoming Dux of the primary school at SouthbridgeApril 1950 Marriage notice of Harry and Enid's wedding in DunsandelMarch 1945 notice of Harry's Distinguished Service OrderJuly 1970 newspaper account of Harry attending a reunion of his bomber command.
1933 account of Harry Denton becoming Dux of the primary school at SouthbridgeApril 1950 Marriage notice of Harry and Enid's wedding in DunsandelMarch 1945 notice of Harry's Distinguished Service OrderJuly 1970 newspaper account of Harry attending a reunion of his bomber command.Military Service
Regiment or ServiceAir ForceService NumberWW2 426036
Service NumberWW2 426036Frederick Harry Denton. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6051
