Louis Michael Dell: Friday 14th July 1916
Michael went to Emanuel School and St Paul’s and then became a clerk to an estate agent. He gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 7th Batt. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and went to France on 27th September 1915. He was killed in action, aged 25, at the battle of Bazentine Ridge in July 1916, which formed part of the Somme offensive, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. When probate was granted his estate was worth £446 11s 6d.
Named after his father, but commemorated and known as Michael, he was the son of Louis Dell of 16 Frewin Road. The family had lived at 17 Boutflower Road in 1891, at 23 West Side in 1901, and 3 Routh Road in 1911. He had brothers Antony Warner, journalist, about a year older, and Montague Roger who was a flour miller’s clerk, about 3 years younger. Both of which also attended Emmanuel School. Their father was a cornflour merchant and the family kept two servants. Louis Senior had stood for election to the council, unsuccessfully, in 1903.
Montague became a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment. He was hospitalised at some point between end October and 16 December 1916 as his regimental diary states that he had returned from hospital. He was made an acting Captain from 5th September 1917 to 15th December 1918. He also served with the Royal Navel Reserve. He won the Military Cross and Companion of the Order of the White Eagle (Serbia). 162 of these Serbian awards were made during the war. He survived the war, dying in May 1981.
Anthony also served during the war and survived.