Denis Keliher Wells was born on 27th October 1917 in Marylebone son of Henry W Wells and Norah L nee Keliher. Little detail is known about his early life but during 1937 aged 20 he enlisted into the Honorable Artillery Company, the oldest regiment in the British Army and the second most senior unit of the Territorial Army, in the Royal Artillery, 121st Officer Cadet Training Unit with service number 1397171 and was promoted to Sergeant. He was described as 5’ 9” tall, of a fresh complexion with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He served a total of 2 years and 22 days and was discharged on 23rd December 1939 at Aldershot upon being appointed to an Emergency Commission in the Regular Army. His military conduct was given as Very Good and his Testimonial read: ”Excellent technical knowledge and a good all round cadet. Though somewhat diffident in nature, should do well” The next day, 24th December aged 22 Denis was Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the RA with a new service number 113128. He was promoted to War Substantive Lieutenant on 27th June 1941, Temporary Captain 5th February 1943, Acting Major 1st November 1943, War Substantive Captain and Honorary Major 1st February 1944. He saw service in North Africa as part of the 8th Army, the Italian campaign and North West Europe and was mentioned in despatches on 22nd March 1945 for gallant and distinguished Services in NW Europe. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 with MiD. On 3rd May 1946 he was discharged from the 190th Field Regiment RA at the Military dispersal unit in Guildford and in the London Gazette of 25th March 1949 awarded the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ with the HAC ribbon. On 1st April 1951 he transferred from the war time Emergency Commission back into the Territorial Army as a Lieutenant with seniority backdated 22nd January 1944 and one month later on 1st May promoted back to Captain and acting Major which became substantive on 27th October. On 1st January 1958 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel followed by promotion to Brevet Colonel on 1st January 1962 and transferred to the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers on 2nd January aged 44, and back into the TA from the TARO on 14th February 1963. He was promoted to full Colonel the same day moving from the Royal Artillery to Commands and Staff. On 28th February 1965 aged 48 he was transferred from the active list back into the TARO and was awarded the Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ in the London gazette of 16th March 1965, the earlier award of his Efficiency Medal was for some reason cancelled the same day, although the medal was never returned. In July 1986 aged 69 Denis Married Evelyn M Beattie in the registration district of Deben, Suffolk and died nine years later during the first quarter of 1995 aged 77 and is buried in All Saint’s Church, Sudbourne, Suffolk, his headstone being placed by his wife.