WOOTTON BRIDGE HISTORICAL

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Hon. Albert Denison Somerville Denison

Rear Admiral, R.N.

1835-1903

Albert Denison Somerville was the second son of Hon. Albert Denison Conyngham, 1st Baron Londesborough (b. 21 Oct 1805, d. 15 Jan 1860)

He entered the Navy in 1851,and obtained his commission in 1856. In June the following year her served at the destruction of the Fatshan flotilla of war junks, receiving the China medal with the Fatahan clasp, and two months later was raised to the rank of lieutenant. It was when serving in China in 1856 that he preformed an act of great gallantry, which won for him the medal of the Royal Humane Society. A marine had fallen out of a boat into the Canton River and had sunk. Young Denison plunged into the water after him, and diving where the marine had been seen to disappear, succeeded in rescuing him.

He took service from 29 October 1859 in Fawn (Sloop), serving first in Australia, then in West Indies. Made up to Commander 24 August 1866. Transferred to Gun vessel Cormorant and took command from 22 June 1869 serving in China to 1870. Commanded Corvette Zebra from 1870 until paying off at Hong Kong on 30 April 1873. Promoted to Captain 18 September 1873 and Commanded (from commissioning at Sheerness) Sloop Encounter to China until 1883. He retired in 1881 with the rank of captain, and in 1889 was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral on the retired list.

Rear-Admiral Denison married Louisa, daughter of Mr Antonio Fabris, of Springcroft, Beckenham, in 1873. During his retirement he had the honour of being visited at Woodside by the late Queen (Victoria) and also by the King, when Prince of Wales (King Edward VII).

He had lived in the village for over 20 years since his retirement from the Royal Navy and had been actively involved with various groups in the area; he also paid for the replacement of the wooden bell tower at St Edmunds Church in 1886.

The death of Hon. Albert D S Denison took place on the Wednesday 2 September at Woodside. He was aged 67.

The Funeral

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon (7 September). As reported in the County Press, the late Admiral being laid to rest in the pretty little churchyard of the parish in which he had loved to dwell since his retirement from the service over 20 years previously, and appropriately enough in full view of the entrance to the leading Navel port. The body was enclosed in a polished oak coffin, which was borne on an open hearse with the initial "D" on either side of the funeral car. The coffin was wrapped in the white ensign, with the late Admiral's cocked hat and sword resting on top, surrounded by a wealth of floral tributes.

The Rector of Wootton, Rev. Dr. D. R. Colman and the Vicar of Havenstreet together with a surpliced choir [white linen vestment worn over a cassock] met the cortege at the entrance of the churchyard proceeded the coffin to the chancel, in which the body rested during the service. The service was chorally rendered, the hymns being "Thine for ever", "Now the labourer's task is o'er", and "Peace, perfect peace".

The chief mourners were: The Hon. Henry Charles Denison, the Hon. Conyngham Albert Denison, the Hon. Lady Grey-Egerton, sister, Sir Bryan Egerton, Mr Gerald Otho Fitzgerald, Mr Eildyr B Herbert, Mr Robert Fabris, Dr. G R Stilwell, Mr R L Hoson, Mr C R Glanville and Dr. A Banks. H.R.H. Princess Henry of Battenburg was represented by her equerry, Col. the Hon. F Colbourne. The deceased Admiral's only son, Lieut. E W Denison R.N. is away on Foreign Service on the Cambrian at Monte Verde, and the Earl of Londesborough (nephew of the deceased), who is staying in Scotland, was not well enough to undertake the long journey to the Island.

The household servants present were, Mr & Mrs W Taylor, Mrs Ritchie, Miss Hughes, Miss Hensley, Miss Kelleway, Mr H Taylor and Mr L Flux. A contingent of the Fishbourne Coastguards under Chief-boatman Perrin was also in the procession. There was also a large presence of the community and representives of various organisations.

He had three daughters. They were Daisy, wife to Robert Lockhart Hobson, Esq. Ivy, wife of Herbert Guy Sturges Mitchison. Lily, wife of Reginald Marsh Everett, Esq. They were declared Honourable if their father had survived his great nephew.

His Will & Bequests are listed in the Illustrated London News dated 7 November 1903.
The will (dated May 21, 1901) of Admiral, the Hon. Albert Denison Somerville Denison, of Woodside, Wootton, Isle of Wight, who died on Sept. 2, has been proved by the Hon. Harold Albert Denison, the brother, and Gerald Otho Fitzgerald, the value of the property being sworn at £14085. After stating that his daughters are provided for, the testator gives £100 each to his executors, and the residue of his property to his son, Ernest William Denison.

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Source:
The Illustrated London News. Nov. 7, 1903 pg 708
Isle of Wight County Press September 7 & 12, 1903

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Londesborough