Military History

Henry is listed as being killed in action on 23rd May 1916. The 12th Battalion war diary entries for the period 22nd to 24th May are transcribed below.

22^nd May 1916 – Potijze: The enemy were very quiet all day and there was practically no shelling. Only 2 77mm shells fell near the front line and 6 near Bn HQ. Enemy snipers were fairly active, chiefly from the right flank. From our parapet it was impossible to see the enemy trenches opposite which along the front only averaged 300 yards away, owing to the configuration of the ground and the long grass. The most important spot which could be seen was the mound opposite the left of the line.

The enemy were quiet at night but snipers and machine guns were active. Patrols went out along the front but reported no signs of the enemy.

23^rd May 1916 – Potijze: The enemy were quiet by day and night except for a considerable amount of wild rifle fire by night.  Between 1pm & 2pm about 30 trench mortars fell in A1 damaging the parapet in 2 places. No casualties. Our Howitzers retaliated & trench mortaring ceased.

About 9.30pm a very light disclosed a German patrol out in No Mans Land. M.G. fire was opened on them & they scattered. It is not known if any were hit. Patrols out report no signs of the Germans.

Lt E.B. Kerr wounded, shot in the stomach by a sniped while standing in trench.

24^th May 1916 – Potijze: The enemy was exceptionally quiet all day & night. At night hardly a shot was fired. Patrols out did no encounter any enemy. The enemy appeared to be doing a lot of work on his front line all night.

Between 1am & 1.30am, 2 trains were very distinctively heard to come up close behind enemy’s line.