www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Latest Parish News - Dennis Compton
Family History.
Dennis was born in January 1949. He lived at 4 ”The Huts”, Quidhampton, near Wilton. “The Huts” were a collection of nissen huts, formerly used to house service personnel, engaged in Invasion preparation work at Wilton House and Fugglestone House. (The latter is now Land Command, Wilton). These buildings were de-mobbed from the War Office and converted into what was, perhaps euphemistically known as bungalows.
Dennis’ father was Reg “Chipper” Compton, who worked for Wiltshire County Council, out of Wilton depot. In the winter he drove one of the mighty American MACK 8 wheeled chassis, fitted with a salt spreading body. (I think that that probably included a couple of men, to shovel the salt onto a spreading device?)
“Chipper” Compton died, with pneumonia during the winter of 1953.
Mrs. Compton married Perc’ Cousins some number of years later. Perc’ worked out of a yard, in Quidhampton. He was a self employed man, who hired working horses to the County Council. It was with the demise of working horses that Perc’ came to be employed by the Council, retiring as the driver of a JCB excavator.
Career
Dennis first choice of career had always been the army. An ear injury, arising from a fall from a tricycle at a pre-school age, denied him this.
Dennis started work at the age of fifteen, in Quidhampton as an apprentice carpenter/cabinet maker with a firm called Harding’s. They manufactured temporary buildings and fencing components.
The firm failed two years later and Dennis finished his apprenticeship with Case & Sons, in Fisherton Street, restoring furniture. At this point he was made redundant and, on the advice of stepfather Perc’ Cousins, he approached Mr. Palfrey, at Wilton depot for a job as a driver. Mr. Palfrey explained that drivers were sufficient but carpenters scarce. Dennis began work two days later, on Wednesday 19th December 1966.
In his early days he worked in Wilton making Fingerposts, fences and a variety of wooden cabinets. He held this post for five years, before realizing his original post by becoming a driver. He was promoted to the post of “Ganger”, and led a construction gang for four years, before being appointed a foreman, by Alan Bayliss. Dennis has always been convinced that it was his vigorous support, during the interview, for Mr. Bayliss’ multi-coloured work ticket system, which saw him through. He relies on the witness statement of Brian Holder, in support of these events. Dennis much enjoyed his role and worked for the DLO, under Dave Higgins until 1988/9 and then to Warminster, under Paul Smith. He transferred to a client post, at Studley Depot, on the retirement of John Mounty in 1994. Dennis employed a tried and tested army technique, to place his mark on his area – he had all of the railings painted, in his first three weeks in the post. It was successful and he was summoned to see Martin Brown, to be told of the compliments, which had been received from the Parish Councils. Dennis then moved to Marlborough, as a Senior Technician, where he remained, until his appointment to special projects, in the summer of 2006.
Interests & Hobbies
Still very keen on an Army career, Dennis enlisted with the 4th Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment, when he was 17 ½ at the HQ in, what is now the County Council Youth & Community building in Wilton Road.
The TA became the TAVR and the 4th Battalion was wound up. To join the replacement unit, The Wiltshire Yeomanry, meant going to Swindon. Dennis chose to become “Attached” to the 32nd Royal Artillery, at Larkhill, as a driver. He rose through the ranks to WO 1. As an “attached” WO, he was precluded from the RSM post.
Undeterred he applied for and secured a commission, becoming a Lieutenant. Dennis never felt entirely comfortable in the Officers mess and resigned his commission with 18 years service.
Never being a man to stand idle he became closely involved in local, regional, national and eventually international “Tug-of-War” competitions. He became a highly respected referee, in competitions at all of these levels.
Dennis had long been an active member of his local British Legion Club when he became the County standard bearer, representing the Legion at events of celebration and commemoration, including the remembrance service at the Royal Albert Hall.
He has now become the County Chairman and has devoted almost all of his annual leave, this year, to Legion business.
The Future
Dennis and Eileen have a daughter, Maureen a son in law and a grandson, Alan, who is a toddler. Dennis is looking forward to seeing more of Alan, who lives in Laverstock. His level of involvement with the Legion is set to increase. He is an active member of the Till Valley Men’s Club and any number of other local groups, who organise a wide variety of trips and social events for the full cross section of communities in the Salisbury Plain area.
