Alfred Dennis Kinshott was born around 1906 in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England. He was the son of Percival and Clarissa Kinshott. He was also the father of my (almost) namesake John Brian Kingshott , who is sadly recorded among the war dead. Dennis, as he was known, was my 7th cousin once removed. 

 

Dennis hit the headlines in 1925 when he helped to foil a bank robbery where he worked in Bexhill-on-Sea. The story is obtained from newspapers of the day. 

 

DESPERATE ! MAN WITH REVOLVER IN A POST OFFICE. 

At Sussex Assizes to-day, Sidney Rayner. 24, belonging to Willesden, was sentenced to 18 months' hard labour for demanding money with menaces from Dennis Kinshott and Agnes Whittaker, two Post Office assistants. Mrr. Briggs, prosecuting for the Post Office, said prisoner entered the at Bexhill, pointed a loaded revolver the two assistants named, and said "Give me some money quick. It's loaded. I am desperate." The female assistant went to the telephone, and Kinshott went round the counter and punched prisoner, who put the revolver his pocket, saying, " Don't hit me any more." [The] prisoner also pleaded guilty to stealing £134 belonging to a Willesdon cinema company which had been entrusted to him to bank. He went to France with the money. He asked that this case should dealt with, and his request was granted. The judge commended the two Post Office assistants for their coolness and courage, saying he was glad to hear that the Post Office had rewarded them. 

Nottingham Evening Post - Monday 6th July 1925

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Dennis also appeared on the front page of the Daily Mirror, on 21st March 1925, a copy of which can be seen here. His photograph appears on the top row of the page, third from the right. I will reproduce an enlargement of this photograph below.

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