Obituaries Australia

June, 1917, will be remembered as having been, verily a month of widespread mourning throughout Penrith and Castlereagh and other parts of the Nepean District, for during that month in such operations as the capture of the Messines Ridge and other sanguinary engagements, in which Australians took a leading part, a number of gallant young soldiers of our town and district fell, heroically exhibiting in their transcendent valour that spirit of dauntless determination and fortitude, even to the death, which has made the name Australian a talisman and inspiration to the disciples of liberty and civilization all over the world.

Amongst the casualties recorded in the lists for June we regret to note the name of Private George Denny (in the roll-call of the fallen), son of Mr Alfred Denny of "Riverleigh," Castlereagh, a fine stalwart young soldier, who was killed in action on June 8th, in his 21st year, having been only about a month at the front before meeting the glorious fate of those to whom the vindication of the rights of their Empire and of their fellows is greater than the supreme pain of violent death, or the worst discomforts of the battlefield. Private Denny (deceased) went into camp at Armidale on April 10th, 1916, and sailed for the seat of war on September 4th, 1916. He was sent to the Australian sector in North France on April 10th last, and during the month, or thereabouts, which intervened between his coming to the trenches and his demise he saw much severe fighting. The Denny family have been living at Castlereagh for about three and a half years, and deceased, who was, in a sense, "the mainstay of the home" (to quote his father's words), will be greatly missed, not only by his bereaved parents and family, but by all his associates and acquaintances. We might mention that Sergeant Coates (drill instructor) now in France, is a son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Denny, senr., who have no less than 15 nephews (English born) serving with the colors. While mourning the loss to his kin and country of Private George Denny, we trust that the reflection that he died gloriously in defence of the laws of God and the rights of democracy will be a consolation to his parents and family in their bitter hour.