Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in 1915 at Lucknow Farm in Tammin WA, Denny was the second of three children of Frank Denny Banfield (b1886 in Melbourne, Victoria) and Amy Sophia Rogers (nee Riseley; b1873 in Anakie, Victoria). Frank (a Farmer) and Amy (a Widow) married in 1912 in Northam WA and settled at Lucknow Farm in Tammin WA to raise their family. By 1931 the family had moved to Bodallin, Yilgarn WA where Frank was a Farmer, and following Amy's death in 1935, Frank and his two sons were living in Kalgoorlie. When both sons enlisted, Frank moved on to Wagin WA where he was a Farmer until his death.

Denny worked as a Mechanic and Cartage Contractor in Kalgoorlie and Kunnanalling, and in October 1940 enlisted in the RAAF (Service No:29068). Starting as an Aircraftman I, Denny progressed through the ranks and in 1943 attended Flight Training School to become a Pilot. He was described variously (National Archives Australia) as 'A big lump of a man. Bit rough. Fair manners', 'Solid type, quiet and reserved. Sound, steady and dependble' and 'Not suitable for employment as a pilot'. Denny was a Flight Sergeant attached to Advanced Flying and Refresher Unit when he was Discharged in May 1945.

In 1941 Denny married Evelyn (Bid) May Crawford (b1913 in Carbine nr Coolgardie WA) in Coolgardie WA. Following the War, Denny and Bid settled at Pantapin in York WA where Denny was a Farmer. The couple retired to Perth in 1980. Bid died in 1988 and Denny in 2004.