South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Captain Wilfred Henry HENSLEY - 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry


Killed in Action on Thursday, March 21st 1918 aged 23

 

Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Pozieres Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
14 Nov 1915 in France ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick St. Paul and Church Window
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Warwick School
German Spring Offensive 15 Sep 1914 in Westminster  
    Other War Memorials
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Great Rissington War Memorial
Moy, St Quentin Pvt 471 - 19th Bn, Royal Fusiliers Emmanuel College, Cambridge 
    Dean Close School  |  Bath College

Military Service History

2nd Lt in July 1916 and Capt Dec 1917

Circumstances of Death

Wilfred is listed as being killed in action on 21 March 1918, however he was originally reported as missing in action and it was not until August 1918 that his remains were found during the British advance. The 6th Battalion war diary entry for 21st March is transcribed below.

In the Line - Moy - 21 March 1918: At 4.30am the enemy opened an intense bombardment with all calibre shells, using a new kind of gas shell, the smell of which was not unpleasant but had the effect of sleeping gas. At 8.30am he finished gas shelling but continued with other shells. It was very foggy and sentries were posted at all points. All signal communication was cut by 4.40am.

At 10.20am news was received that by runner the enemy was in the front line. Support Coy, Bn HQ moved into strong points Egypt where fighting immediately commenced. 2 pigeons were dispatched & papers all burnt. The enemy at 10.30am were streaming down the St. Quentin Road from both flanks and poured into La Fozie Quarry.

At 10.35am he was reported to be pushing towards Benay and Lerizy. 1 Officer, 6 runners & 3  signallers commenced to fight their way our of Bde HQ with the news and to warn strong points. 1 Officer reached Bde.

11.10am 2 runners arriving 10 minutes after, 1 signaller also got out successfully, after which this party were attached to 9 Scottish Rifles in reserve trenches behind Bde HQ.

Estimated casualties 20 officers, 540 other ranks actually in the front line at the time of the attack. END



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
14 Jul 1894 in Warwick 29 Aug 1894 at Warwick, St. Paul
   
Parents Names Abode
Rev. Henry Gabriel and Alice Hensley Great Rissington Rectory 
   
Schools Colleges
Warwick School  |  Dean Close School Bath College  |  Emmanuel College, Cambridge
   
Address History Employment History
1894 -  31 High Street, Warwick 1901 - School
1901 - 31 High Street, Warwick 1911 - Scholar at Dean Close School
1911 - Dean Close School, Cheltenham 1914 - Theology Student at Cambridge 
1914 - The Rectory, Great Rissington