Denis Amato

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Denis Amato was born on the 20th of December 1918 and baptised on the 12th of February 1919 at St. Anne’s Church, Limehouse, Tower Hamlets, London. He was the son of Pasquarlo* & Charlotte Selina Amato (née Garrett) who had married in the same church on the 11th of July 1915. *There are various spellings of his name.

Pasquarlo (sic) Amato was from a large family, and his parents had been born in Italy, as had some of the children. They are seen on the 1911 census living at 43, Farrance Street, Limehouse, London. Head of the household, Ronald Amato, was 56 and a Labourer at Locklancaster Lead Works and had been born in Ravilia, Italy. His wife Rose was 54 and had been born in Malva, Italy. They had had 13 children but sadly six had died. One of their children, John Amato, had served with the 6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles) in the First World War but he was killed on 4th May 1917. He was buried at Wancourt Cemetery but the actual location of his grave is unknown.

The Amato family were to experience another war loss in the Second World War.

The first time we see Charlotte Amato after the marriage is on the 1921 census which was taken on the 19th of June 1921. She is listed as living at 3, Waterloo Street, Limehouse, London. She was orn in Westminster, London and was the head of the household, living with her two children, Ronald Amato, age 5 years and 1 month old and Dennis (sic) Amato aged 2 years and 6 months old. Her children were both born in Limehouse, London but Pasquarlo Amato was missing on this census on the night of the 19th of June 1921.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, just after war was declared on the 3rd of September. The family are seen living at 46, Sheriden Road, East Ham, London and we find out that Pasquarlo & Charlotte had had a third child, Peggy Amato who was born in 1927. But there is no mention of Denis.

This is probably because he was already serving in the Royal Marines as shown in this newspaper clipping from the Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News of 7th April 1939 which gives us insight into what Denis was like. The headline is quite telling as it states: "Wanted to Marry. Chatham Magistrate’s Refuse “Fickle” Marine’s Application." It appears that Charlotte would not give Denis permission to marry a girl he had only know for a few months but he had saved up £5 to get married.

Denis landed on Juno Beach with 48 Royal Marines on 6th June but was killed at some point that day.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Denis Amato. If you are aware of one or you are related to Denis we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.