Name
Henry Albert (Bert) Isaac
13 March 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/06/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15933 (*1)
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ASHFORD CEMETERY, KENT
7125
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone
UK & Other Memorials
Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, St Ippolyts Village Memorial, Roll of Honour, St Ippolyts Church
Pre War
The CWGC lists him as A H Isaacs, but census gives Henry Albert and his service record Bert.
Bert was born in 1897 (believed to be 13 March 1897) registered in Hitchin, but probably born in St Ippolyts and his parents were Henry and Ellen Martha Isaac (née King). They had married in 1892 and had three children.
Sadly Ellen died in 1899, so by 1901, Henry was 35 and a widower. He was living at Brook End, St Ippolyts, Ippolyts, near Hitchin. Two children were present Florence (6) and Henry Albert (4), but a third Nellie, who would have been 2, was absent.
On 21 October 1901, Henry remarried, and second wife was Elizabeth Sarah Gardner and they married in Forest Gate, Emmanuel, Essex, England.
He attended St. Ippolyts School from 1900-1901 and it is believed that he lived in Mill Lane, St. Ippolyts, at some point, and it is thought he also lived at Fishers Green and for a time and attended the Stevenage National School. He then attended Hitchin Grammar School from 1909-1911. His middle name was Henry after his father who was an iron-founder in various towns and villages including St. Ippolyts. He left the school to go farming.
In 1911 they were still at the same address. Present head of household and Bert’s father, Henry (44), still an iron founder and employer, his second wife Elizabeth (44), Henry’s three brothers, mentioned above, and all three children.
Henry Albert Isaac’s service records was found under the name Bert Isaacs and service number 19533. He enlisted on 10 February 1915 when he was 19 years 10 months old and living in Brook End, St Ippolyts, Nera Hitchin and working as an iron moulder. His father henry Isaac was given as his next of kin. He was described as 5’ 9 1/2” tall with a 37 1/2/” chest when full expanded, with fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on the 10 February 1915, and joiner the Bedfordshire Regiment, in Bedford, on the 12th February 1915. After training he was posted again to the 1st Battalion on 3 November. Joining the same day in France. He returned home on the 3 March 1916, due to ill health. He was suffering from TB and was discharged as unfit for further service on 9 June 1916.
His condition was recorded by the medical board: “Originated probably five years ago in civil life T. B. Positive. Result of ordinary military service. General service conditions activating old focus. Permanent totally prevents for six months.”, and his character was assessed as “I have not known this man personally but from the records(?) in my possession it appears that he has during his service being a sober and well behaved man.”
Although he records show that he was discharged from service there is no record of and Siver War Badge being issued. He died in the Cottage Hospital, Ashford, Kent on the 25th June 1916.
Additional Information
After his death £8 8s 5d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Henry, on 23 February 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to him on 3 November 1919.
His pension cards exist (against service number 19533) but provide little detail and no pension information.
*1 The CWGC has his service number as 15933, however his service record, proceedings on discharge papers and pension cards gives 19533
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice by David C Baines:
Hitchin School Chronicle & School Registers - Mrs Pamela Skeggs, local historian - Mr Robert Walmsley, a school governor - Mr Albert (Roger) Isaac, a cousin - Ashford Cemetery Register,
Stuart Osborne, Jonty Wild
