Name
Henry William Bishop
1877
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/11/1918
41
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
28678
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BISHOP'S HATFIELD (ST. LUKE) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
Henry William Bishop was born in Hatfield, Herts in 1877, son of Charles William Bishop, a Dairyman, (B 1847 in Worcestershire) and Mary A. Bishop (nee Faithfull) (B 1843 in Hatfield). Baptised on 8th December 1878 in Hatfield.
1881 Census records Henry aged 4, Living with his parents and four brothers Charles 13, Thomas 9, James 6 and Bertram, in Hall's Yard, Park Street, Bishops Hatfield. His father was working as a dairyman.
1891 Census records Henry at school, living with his parents, 3 brothers and sisters Alice and Rose, in Halls Yard, Park Street, Bishops Hatfield.
On 17th August 1898, aged 19, Henry enlisted in London, into the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards with the Service No. 1903. Signing on for 7 years in the colours and 5 years in the reserve. His service records shows he was a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment when he enlisted, it also shows he was discharged medically unfit to serve on 6th June 1899, due to Chronic Bronchitis.
Henry William Bishop married Alice Rose Tolman in Fulham, London, in 1903, the daughter of Alfred and Emily Tolman of Cookham, Berkshire.
1911 Census records Henry aged 34, married to Alice Rose with 2 sons and 3 daughters, living in Church Street, Hatfield. Henry is working as a domestic gardener.
Attestation papers. Henry was resident in Church Street, Hatfield. His trade was a gardener. He was 5ft. 9in. tall, with good physical development and certified fit for military service. Henry had previously served with the “Coldstream Guards 2 years, South African (1) year, yeomanry Herts.”
Henrys wife Alice Rose died in 1914 aged 36.
Wartime Service
Henry enlisted in the County Town of Hertford on 17th September 1915, enlisting for service in the Territorial Home Service as Private 5548, the Hertfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 5548. Later transferring to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry with the Service No. 28678, possibly so he could serve overseas.
He serving at Home from 17th September 1915 to 20th August 1916, landing in France on 21st August 1916, he was wounded on the 16th September 1916, at the Battle of Flers (15th Sept to 22nd Sep 1916) part of the Battle of the Somme, he received a gun shot wound to his left hand and Bronchitis and Emphysema.”
The Medical Examiner’s Report recorded: “In action Sept 1916 – Somme front was wounded at Flers on 16th Sept 1916, GSW hand – after which he has never been well. He was sick; attributes it to getting a certain amount of gas, as tear gas shells were bursting around, was not wearing his gas helmet at the time. Cough and shortness of breathe present, wheezing audible. Face rather puffy. Physical signs in chest of emphysema and bronchitis still present. Pulse small. Disability evident. Deafness in left ear and left hand still stiff. G.S.W. and gassing not permanent, probable duration six months. Total disablement at present.”
He was discharged medically unfit on the 19th December 1916 in Exeter and "No longer fit for war service due to GSW to left hand ". He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 71983.
Henry was awarded a pension of 25/- (shillings). He was regularly re-examined and pension adjusted. He last examination was on 12.10.18, “treatment for tuberculosis should be continued”, awarded 22/- and 17/6d for his five children. Henry died on 11th November 1918. (The last day of the war)
Henry died a home on 11th November 1918, (Armistice Day) aged 41. He was buried on 15th November 1918, in St Luke's Churchyard, Newtown, Hatfield. At the time of his death he was living in Back Street, Hatfield.
His wife had died and at least two of the children were living with his sister-in-law in Church Street.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1915 in the 14th list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Bishop, Harry – Back Street – Herts. Territorials”.
He was awarded Victory Medal, British War Medal
Additional Information
Henry's details are not recorded on the CWGC Database. His effects of £5, went to his eldest son Leonard.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Tolman (Sister in Law) of Back Street (Church Street) Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
