Name
Henry Walter Marchant
1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/03/1918
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
265531
Hertfordshire Regiment
1/1st
4 Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 89 and 90.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin,
Holy Saviour Church Memorial, Hitchin,
4 Coy' Hertfordshire Reg' Territorials Memorial, Hitchin,
Hitchin British Boys' School Memorial, Hitchin,
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford,
Not on the Stevenage memorials
Pre War
Henry was born in 1892 in Hitchin and christened on 7 May 1892 in Holy Saviour Church, Hitchin. His parents were Henry Walter and Laura Marchant.
In 1901 the family were living at 52 Radcliffe Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (35) and Laura (35), with Henry (senior) working as a railway porter. Their children were: Archibald W (12), Agnes D (10), Henry Walter (8) and Hilda May (5).
In 1911 the family were still living at the same address. Present were both parents, Henry (senior) now working as a railway brakesman. The census recorded they had been married for 23 years with 7 children, of whom 1 had died. Archibald and Agnes were not listed, Henry, was but listed as Walter, he was 18 and working as a lad railway porter. Henry and Hilda were joined by Margorie (7), Kathleen (4) and Lawrence (1).
Henry enlisted into the Hertfordshires, a Territorial Force as Private 2585, which means that he enlisted between 27 January 1913 and 1 January 1914.
Henry married Ellen Daisy Chalkley (b 23/5/1893) in 1915.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts., living in Stevenage, Herts, when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
As Henry was already a serving Territorial, he had been trained to a good extent. They were only required to serve in the United Kingdom, but like many others he volunteered for overseas service in August 1914 and was sent to France, landing there on 6 November 1914.
He served in ‘G’ Company and the 4 Company when they were renamed. He was renumbered to 265531 in early 1917 soldiers who had enlisted or were serving in a Territorial Force regiment were issued with a new, six-digit service number. This was largely related to the huge increase in the numbers of men serving in the infantry regiments and the need to avoid confusion.
He fought at Arras, Ypres, on the Somme and elsewhere until he was killed at Cambrai. He was reported missing at Geauzencourt, and was said to have been badly wounded and left in a trench later overrun by the enemy.
The Battalion took up positions north, east and south east of Villers Faucon in the Somme Sector to resist the thrust of the German offensive of the 21st March 1918. The Herts had moved forward to the retreating line of the 16th Division and were part of the 116th Brigade that was virtually destroyed that day.
In the absence of news H M Gruneell (probably his sister) of 30 Broughton Hill, Letchworth made an enquiry (date stamped 29 May 1918). Other contacts were made to the British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing on 2 August 1918 and again on 20 November 1918. Finally they heard on 28 October 1918 that his death presumed.
Henry has an in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family member using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. It suggests that Henry took part in heavy fighting at Arras, the Somme, Cambrai, Ypres and other engagements
He has no known grave but is remembered on Panels 89-90 of the Pozieres Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £22 7s 11d was authorised to go to his widow, Ellen Daisy Chalkley, on 29 May 1919, including a war gratuity of £20 10s.
His pension cards record his widow, Ellen, as his dependant, co Walkern Road, Stevenage. She was awarded a pension of 20s 5d a week from 25 November 1918. Their child was confirmed as Walter Ernest William (b 15/12/1917.
Also living at 52, Radcliffe Rd, Hitchin was his grandfather Charles Marchant who was trained in ordnance and had served in the Royal Navy on H.M.S. ‘Royal Albert’, in the Crimean War at Inkerman, Balaklava and Alma and during the Boxer Riots in China and lived until 1926 when he was buried in Hitchin Cemetery aged 90 years.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
