Dent was educated at Mason College, Birmingham and St Bartholomew's Hospital, London from which he qualified with the Conjoint Diploma in 1897; after study at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Medical School he took the Durham University MB in 1898. He served as a civil surgeon with the South African Field Fo

Born in London on 29 May 1872, fourth son of the Very Rev the Hon William Henry Fremantle, Dean of Ripon, and Isabella, his wife, daughter of Sir Culling Eardley, 3rd Baronet, the religious philanthropist (for whom see *DNB*). The Dean was the second son of Thomas Francis Fremantle, 1st Lord Cottesl