Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Shelton Dean, OBE MC
Captain Dean, Royal Irish Fusiliers, early 1918
Herbert Shelton Dean was born at Kettering, Northamptonshire, on 17 July 1896, the first of six children of chemist and druggist Herbert Dean and his wife Eleanor Susannah (née Shelton). Educated at Market Harborough Grammar School, at the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 31 Station Road, Desborough, Northamptonshire, with his parents and siblings.
On 2 May 1915 Dean enlisted, probably in the Northamptonshire Yeomanry (based on a contemporary newspaper report – see below). On 21 October, however, he was a commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 14th (Reserve) Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). (A photograph from around that time, however, has him as wearing the badge of the Northamptonshire Regiment).
On 28 March 1916 he was transferred to the 10th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry based at the Curragh in Ireland, where he was posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons. Records suggest that he saw some action during the Easter Rebellion in Ireland in April 1916.
On 9 August 1916 Dean embarked for France, where he joined the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment at Flesselles. The 2nd NIH had only recently been formed, bringing together C and B Squadrons of the North Irish Horse and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. Dean was posted to B Squadron. He was formally transferred from the cavalry reserve to the North Irish Horse on 14 December 1916.
Through 1916 and 1917 there were a number of references to Dean in the regiment's war diaries:
[7 September 1916] Flesselles. ... 9 officers who were attached to 2nd Indian Cavalry rejoined their Squadrons in the course of the day 2nd Lieuts Dean & Hancock have yet to rejoin from Le Mazis where they are attached to 18th Lancers.
[19 January 1917 Boeschepe.] Frosty, snowy. Routine work. 2/Lt Dean brought up the working party to the trenches.
23 January 1917] Boeschepe. ... Frosty. Routine work. Usual working party went up to the Trenches under 2/Lt Dean.
[8 March 1917 Boeschepe.] Routine work – usual Trench Digging Party under Lt Dean.
[7 April 1917 Boeschepe.] Wet, Snow. ... Major Newman Capt Henry Lt Vesey & 2Lt Dean having been appointed to road control Squadrons in 1st & 3rd Armies proceeded to take up their new duties and are struck off strength.
On 1 July 1917 Dean was promoted to lieutenant (but with seniority from 10 May 1916).
In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded. Most of its officers and men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Dean, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Dean and three other officers joined the battalion at Ruyaulcourt on 2 October. Later that month he was made acting captain.
Dean saw action at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and in the Retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918. The battalion war diary recorded that on 27-28 March:
Enemy attacked and the Royal Irish Rifles fell back on 9th Battalion reserve who fell back with same to a position south of Arvillers, and then south of the village, where they remained the night. This party under Captains Despard, Crosbie and Dean, and 2nd Lieutenant Davison, fell back, by orders, through Hangesy-en-Santerre, Plessier, Rosainvillers, Moreuil, Mailly-Raineval, Sourdon, remaining there the night.
It may have been for action that Dean was awarded a Military Cross:
When all the troops on his left had retired, this officer held his position with great determination, subsequently falling back and protecting the left flank.
The remnants of the 9th Battalion were then moved to the Ypres front, but a new German offensive began there on 11 April. The Battalion diary recorded the actions of that night and the following day:
Moved to near Wulverghem. Headquarters at N Midland Farm. Enemy attacked, pressing back our line. Counter attack completely restored position. Casualties heavy, including Medical Officer, Lieutenants Hamilton, Hardy and Miller killed. Captain Dean, Lieutenants Turner and Orr wounded.
Dean had sustained a severe wound to the shoulder. After treatment in the No.5 British Red Cross Hospital at Wimereux, on 18 April he was evacuated to England. He recovered from his injury and served out the remainder of the war in the UK.
On 5 July 1919 he married Enid Haywood in St Mary's Parish Church, Balham, London.
Dean was demobilised on 27 July 1919. He relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920 and was granted the rank of captain.
On 3 March 1921 he joined the regular army, as a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles. On 1 April 1926 he was promoted to captain. From 1930 to 1934 he served in India, having been seconded as captain and adjutant to the 1st (Bombay) Battalion, University Training Corps. He was made adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles, on 1 May 1937 and major on 15 January 1938, serving with the regiment in Palestine from 1936 to 1939 and being mentioned in despatches.
During World War 2 he served as acting then temporary lieutenant-colonel from 24 August 1940, the promotion being confirmed on 15 November 1944. He was awarded an OBE (Officer, Military Division) in the 1947 New Year's Honours List.
Dean retired from active service on 30 July 1948 and was taken off the reserve of officers list when he reached the age limit (55) on 17 July 1951. He died at Eton, Buckinghamshire, in 1969.
The Midland Mail, 12 July 1918
The Midland Mail, 11 July 1919
Second Lieutenant Dean wearing badges of the Northamptonshire Regiment, 1915
Second Lieutenant Dean wearing the officers' General List cap badge, 1915
Dean's brother George Henry also served as an officer in the First World War, in the Northamptonshire Regiment and the 18th (Indian) Lancers. He later served as a captain in the 2/16 Pubjabi Regiment. He married at Hythe, Kent, on 2 May 1931 (see below), but died of pneumonia and meningitis at Bannu, India, on 29 January 1932.
I am most grateful to Patrick Carey for making available the images of Herbert Dean.
This page last updated 7 August 2024.