Military History

Henry (Harry) is listed as being killed in action on 19th October 1914 during the Attack of Kleythoek. The following is taken from the Battalion History courtesy of a user on the Great War Forum.

There was not much action for the 1/RWF on the 6-9th October 1914, they travelled from Dover to Seebrugge (5-6th), arrived Belgium and moved to billets in Oostcamp 4 miles SE Bruges (7th). Marched to Oudenburg on the 8th. On the 9th they moved again to Ghent with German forces reported within 10 miles of the town. At this point no contact with the enemy was recorded.

On Oct 10th 1914 the 22nd Brigade which included the 1/RWF Bttn moved South at 2:30 am from Ghent in Belgium to Meirelbeke. This was done to support Belgium and French troops that were in contact with the German troops. They encountered no signs of any enemy during the morning, but heard some firing in the distance to the South and South East. In the Afternoon the 1/RWF located itself in a pre-entrenched position South East of Meirelbeke covering French and Belgian positions in front. Heavy firing during the night believed to be cheifly from the French and Belgians. No evidence of any attacks by the Germans. 1/RWF not engaged but a few shots came over the position.

Between 11th October and 16th October 1914 the general retirement by allied forces commenced to Ypres region and the 1RWF was finally positioned at Zonnebeke by the morning of the 17th October. On the 18th the 1/RWF Bttn moved again to Veldhoek and Becelaere. Finally on the 19th October 1914 the first offensive action by the 7th Division (including 22nd Brigade and 1/RWF) on enemy positions took place at Menin, Gheluwe and Kleythoek.The 1/RWF attacked at Kleythoek towards the ridge and windmill, but was frustrated by heavy enemy artillery and shrapnel. There was no support from friendly artillery and by 12:40 pm orders were recieved to withdraw. The 1/RWF retired along the main road to Dadizeele. Here together with the R Warwicks they were ordered to hold the high ground about Kezelberg and cover the retirement of the Queens and S Staffs. Eventaully the R Warwicks finally covered the retreat of the 1/RWF with the Bttn being closely engaged with the enemy and suffered losses as the retirement was extremely difficult to pull off. Eventually the 1/RWF reached the safety of the trenches originally occupied on the 16th/17th October at Zonnebeke at 6pm.

Casualties on 19th October 1914: Killed :3 Officers, 15 NCO's and Men, Wounded:4 Officers, 84 NCO's and Men. Missing :11 NCO's and Men.