Ernest Martin Dence (17 February 1873 - 24 January 1937) was a marine engineer and local politician in the Greenwich area. Born in Islington, he was educated in Lincolnshire and at Dulwich College. He spent some years working for various shipping lines, travelling around the world. He later worked on land manufacturing electrical cables before retiring in 1919. At the 1934 county council election he lost his seat as the Labour Party took control of the council. In 1935 he returned to the council as an alderman, holding the post at his death.