Thank you to Patricia Brazier for the following research.
Henry was born in 1895 in West Ashby, Sussex. His father is Charles and his mother is Ellen (nee Mercer). He has one brother William and a sister named Amelia.
In the 1901 census the family are living at 10 Archway Place in Dorking, Charles is a Grocer’s Carman. Henry and his brother and sister are at school.
Henry’s brother William died in Dorking in November 1903, he was 13 years old. He is buried in Dorking Cemetery.
In the 1911 census, Henry is living at 14 Archway Place in Dorking with his parents. His father, Charles is now a general labourer. His sister Amelia is boarding with a family in West Horsley, she is a laundress.
On 17th April 1912, Henry emigrated to Australia. He travelled on the Themislocles Steamship, from London to Brisbane. He was 17 years old and gave his occupation as farm labourer. He enlisted into the Australian Infantry on 14th December 1915 at Toowoomba in Queensland.
After training in Australia and Britain, his Battalion moved to France in November 1916, and entered the frontline for the first time on 23rd December. The winter of 1916/17 was horrendous and his battalion spent most of the winter on the front line.
In 1917, his battalion participated in major battles at Messines, in June, and Warneton in July. Again weather conditions were appalling with many men suffering from trench foot caused by the sodden condition of the battlefield. They also suffered many German gas attacks.
Henry died on 4th October 1917, this was the first day of the battle Broodseinde .
He is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium.
Henry’s mother Ellen died in 1914, whilst Henry was in Australia. His father Charles lived at Archway Place with his daughter Amelia until his death in 1943.
| Born | West Ashby, Sussex | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles and the late Ellen Warren of 4 Archway Place, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 42nd Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force | |
| Number | 736 | |
| Date of Death | 4th October 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Near Ypres, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 23 | |
| Cemetery | Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium |
