Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/05/1917
Bailleul Road East Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward James Henry was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham in 1887, one of 8 children of whom only 5 survived he was the youngest, had 3 sisters and 1 sibling gender unknown born between 1883 and 1887. His father Patrick Henry born at Derry, Northern Ireland married at Gateshead in 1883 to Ann Ellen (Annie) Harle of Moville, County Donegal, Ireland, both were born in 1863. Patrick was employed as a navvy whilst in 1901 they were living at 31, Booth Street, Felling, by 1911 they had moved ti 35, Dorothy Street, he was now employed as a chemical labourer, daughter Sarah (20) helped her mother with domestic duties, Annie (18) was an apprentice machinist while Edward James (14) was serving an apprenticeship as a turner.
In 1914 when war broke out with Germany Edward James Henry was 17 years old, just too young to enlist and if still serving his apprenticeship, in any event, would have required permission from his, “master” in order to enlist. His military record no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2. He did not enlist locally but at Blandford, Dorset, initially assigned to the Royal Naval Division, service number 5292. The Royal Naval Division consisted of 8 Battalion of men forming the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, made up of volunteers who were excess to the requirements of the Army. He was later transferred as Sapper 236006 to the 247th Field Coy Royal Engineers formally the 3rd Field Company Royal Marine Engineers. He departed for active service in 1916 when he became of age (19) for active service overseas joining his company which had returned from service in Gallipoli and Macedonia and was sent to France attached to the 63rd Division. They landed at Marseilles during May 1916 and participated during major offensives at the Battle of Ancre November 13th-18th 1916, the Battle of the Scarpe April 23rd-24th 1917 and the Battle of Arleux April 28th-29th 1917.
Sapper 236006 Edward James Henry Royal Engineers was killed in action April 27th 1917 and interred at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, Somme France, grave I. G. 13. he was 20 years old and single.
His father received all monies due to him along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 15/5/1917 reports:
Sapper E.J. Henry, Royal Engineers, killed in action, April 27th, aged 20 years. Son of Patrick and Annie Henry, Fox Street, Felling.
Edward James Henry is remembered at Felling on F32.06
