Author: Barry Mellish

We gather here today to honour and reflect on the life of Dennis — a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A man of deep principle, quiet strength, and unwavering kindness, whose life touched so many and whose legacy will endure for generations to come.

Dennis was born on Sunday, the 26th of April, 1936, in Deptford, the first child of Maud and Charles. He was raised in New Cross, in a closely-knit family community on Childeric Road. His cousin Ronnie, born just a month later, lived two doors down, and the two boys became inseparable companions. Surrounded by his extended family, Dennis’ early life was rich in love and connection.

That happy childhood was disrupted in 1942 when, during the first night of the Blitz, the family homes were destroyed in the bombing. Dennis’ father, Charles, a firefighter, relocated the family to Westmount Road in Eltham. It was here that Dennis would spend the rest of his formative years, alongside his cousin Ronnie, describing the move as a time of discovery and wonder: “There were so many trees… the garden was covered in fallen fruit.”

These wartime years made a lasting impression on Dennis. He later shared his memories with schoolchildren—bringing in ration books, gas masks, and stories of the Anderson shelter in the garden. To many, he became a cherished living link to a pivotal time in history.

In 1945, joy returned to the family with the birth of Dennis’ sister, Valerie. He went on to gain a place at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School in New Cross at the age of eleven. Around this time, Dennis also became a loyal supporter of Charlton Athletic—a passion that would remain with him for life.

It was on the train to school that Dennis first saw Margaret, who attended the sister school nearby. They began to speak on their daily commute, and their friendship grew into a deep and lasting bond. Together, they joined the Young People’s Fellowship at Eltham Park Methodist Church. What began as a youthful friendship would become a lifelong partnership.

Dennis was called up for National Service at the age of 18, and served with distinction in the Royal Air Force at various stations, including RAF Northwood HQ Coastal Command. There, he held Top Secret security clearance—his family suspect he may have been involved in monitoring Russian submarines, though he never revealed the full extent of his duties.

During this time, Dennis formed enduring friendships with his roommates—Brian Glassock, Brian Taylor, Roy Stratton, and Pat Caulfield. These friendships remained strong throughout his life.

Despite the distance, his relationship with Margaret never wavered. She wrote to him every day during his service, and when Dennis returned in 1956, they resumed their courtship. They married on the 9th of August, 1958, at Eltham Park Methodist Church, beginning a life together marked by devotion and mutual respect.

Following a brief and unfortunate experience living above a shop in Eltham—where a fire destroyed all their possessions—Dennis and Margaret moved to Joydens Wood, Bexley. They began rebuilding their lives with characteristic determination. Their son Mark was born in 1964, followed by their daughter Emma in 1966.

In 1971, the family returned to Westmount Road—the house where Dennis had spent his formative years. His parents relocated to a smaller property nearby, just around the corner. Westmount Road would remain Dennis’s home for the rest of his life.

Professionally, Dennis was hardworking, meticulous, and widely respected. He studied to become a Chartered Librarian whilst working for Woolwich Council and then worked in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as a Librarian. His true passion was libraries and public service and he joined the London Borough of Greenwich in 1965, eventually becoming District Librarian at Kidbrooke Library. His dedication was matched by his academic ambition—he earned a distinction for his Diploma in Management Studies at Kent College of Higher and Further Education.

He held strong views on workers’ rights and was an active member of the NALGO union. He later served as Chief Administrative Officer for Greenwich’s Directorate of Leisure Services, before transferring to the London Borough of Bromley, where he became Assistant Borough Librarian and eventually Acting Borough Librarian.

Dennis’s talents extended beyond the workplace. He was an enthusiastic sports supporter, especially of Mark’s athletics and rugby career, Mark played rugby for Colfe’s School, and was selected for Blackheath and the county side, Kent too. Dennis played an integral role as Fixture Secretary for Blackheath Rugby Club—an intricate task that he carried out with ease and precision.

In 1989, Dennis took a sabbatical and embarked on the Coast-to-Coast walk with his dear friend Brian Glassock. The 200-mile route was completed with the help of a compass, paper maps, and sheer determination. It was a true testament to Dennis’s spirit of adventure and careful planning.

He later joined the Ministry of Defence at Woolwich Arsenal, where he oversaw the sale of the riverside site. His final work appraisal noted him as:

• Sound and reliable in all respects
• Never shirks responsibility
• Outstanding organisational ability
• Copes with pressure with unruffled poise
• A very valuable asset

In retirement, Dennis flourished. He and Margaret travelled widely, joined an Art Appreciation class, and explored historic cities and galleries. He also gave his time freely—volunteering at Oxleas Woods, campaigning to preserve Severndroog Castle, and contributing actively to the Old Askean Association. 

He edited its magazine for a period of 10 years, planned walks for the Rambling Club, and was eventually elected President of The Old Askean Association — an honour of which he and his family were immensely proud.

He was a loyal supporter of the Labour Party, delivering leaflets and attending meetings until late in life. His dedication was recently acknowledged with a minute’s silence and a tribute from the local MP.

In his later years, Dennis took greatest joy in his role as a grandfather to Jess, Tom, Charlie, Harry, and Millie. He was present, engaged, and proud—always.

In 2009, Dennis suffered an immense loss when Margaret passed away after 51 years of marriage. It was a dark and painful time, but shortly after, a new chapter began when he reconnected with a former colleague, Ann. Their friendship blossomed, and with Ann, Dennis found renewed purpose and joy.

Together they travelled, walked, and made a home between Westmount Road and Ann’s home in Trevone, Cornwall — a village that became very dear to both of them. On New Year’s Eve 2011, Dennis proposed to Ann in the church at St Eval, a place of significance from his RAF days. They were married the following July surrounded by friends and family and enjoyed 13 years of loving companionship.

Even in his later years, Dennis remained active. He walked the South Downs Way, the Southwest Coast Path, The Yorkshire Dales, parts of The Pennine Way and The London Loop, to name but a few. To mark his 80th birthday, he and his Askes school friend John Lissaman walked 80 miles across the Coast of North Norfolk and then navigated The Saints Way in Cornwall at age 83!

In his final years, Dennis’ health gradually declined. In July 2025, he was placed under the care of the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice Community Nurses, who provided exceptional support at home. Dennis approached his illness with grace, never complaining, always appreciative. With Mark’s help, he carefully put his affairs in order—calmly and thoughtfully, as he had approached everything in life.

Dennis passed away in August, surrounded by love, in Westmount Road. For the record, the garden was covered with fallen fruit.

To those who knew him, he will be remembered as a man of integrity, humility, intelligence, and deep compassion. A true gentleman. His was a life lived with purpose, dignity, and heart.

We are grateful for the years we had with him, and we will carry his memory with us always—with affection, respect, and enduring pride.