Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Henry John Cheesman was born on 28th July 1899 in Dorking to labourer Timothy Cheesman and Florence Rose. He was baptised on 6th September 1899 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism Henry’s family lived at 6 Horsham Road in Dorking.
Henry’s father Timothy was born about 1868 in Shere to labourer Thomas and Elizabeth. Timothy was baptised on 31st May 1868 at St James Church in Shere. His mother Florence was born about 1875 in Dorking to cellarman and gardener Thomas and Sarah. Florence was baptised on 31st October 1875 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking. Timothy and Florence married in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Dorking.
Henry had one brother called Thomas William, born on 19th August 1896 in Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Timothy, Florence and their children, Thomas and Henry, were still living at 6 Horsham Road in Dorking. Timothy was working as a labourer in a timber yard. The family had also two boarders.
Henry’s father Timothy died in the 4th quarter of 1903 in Dorking and was buried on 12th December 1903 at Holy Trinity Church in Westcott.
At the 1911 Census, Henry John was an inmate of a Boys Home school in Newquay, Cornwall.
Henry John Cheesman enlisted in Dorking where he also at the time resided. He was part of the 18th Training Reserve Battalion with a regimental number 13/57192. Later, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigate and became a rifleman. His regimental number was 46365.
Henry was killed in an action on 10th August 1918 in France.
Henry John was buried at Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery Lacouture in France. His grave reference number is IX.C.18
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Henry’s mother Florence had also presumably died by 1918, as his receiver of Soldiers Effects was his aunt Emily Ada Rose nee Cheesman, wife of Florence’s brother Alfred.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Timothy and Florence Cheeseman of 6 Horsham Road, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade | |
| Number | 463365 | |
| Date of Death | 10th August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Memorial | Vielle-chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacoutre, France |
