South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 45226 Thomas HENDRY - 1st/4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment

Killed in action on Tuesday 9th July 1918 aged 18


Military History

     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Hagle Dump Cemetery, Ypres
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
17 Dec 1915 in France  ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington Spa St. Mary's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Killed by a Lightning Strike whilst on duty  2 Jul 1915 in Leamington Spa (aged 16)  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Ypres Pte 19116 Oxford & Bucks LI 
     
  • It appears that Thomas enlisted aged 16 and was sent to the front aged 16. It is clear from his record that he initially stated he was 19 years old at enlistment.
    The age 19 was later crossed through and replaced with 16 years.

Circumstances of Death

Thomas is listed as being killed in action on 9th July 1918. However his service record reveals that he was struck by lightning while carrying rations up to the front lines. The lightning strike caused burns to Thomas's neck and a fracture of his right Tibia & Fibula. The strike also killed Private R. Grimshaw. At the time he was killed the 1st/4th Battalion war diary shows that the Battalion was in the trenches in the left sector at Ypres.

A copy of the accident record is posted below. 

hendy_death_record.jpeg


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
13 Mar 1899 in Leamington Spa 2 Jul 1899 at Leamington Spa, St. Mary
   
Parents Names Abode
William and Mary Hendry  34 Kenilworth Street, Leamington Spa                         
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1899 - 2 Glebe Place, Leamington Spa  1911 - Scholar and Newspaper boy 
1901 - 2 Glebe Place, Leamington Spa  1915 - Grocers Assistant
1911 - 2 Glebe Place, Leamington Spa   
1915 - 34 Kenilworth Street, Leamington Spa