Henry George Sheppard

[reeves_colin]

Hi

Can anyone help me with a Service Record or Medal Card for

SHEPPARD Henry George

Pte 5083, 1/5th Gloucestershire Regt, died of wounds on Sunday 27/8/1916 age 25. Son of James and Mary of Bibury. Buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, France,

I have found this inscription on Bibury Glos War Memorial.

All details including approx Birth, Parents names all point to him being My Great Grand Father's brother.

Henry George appeared on the 1911 Census along with my Great Grand Father James (later to join Black Watch Regiment).

Unfortunately, I have no living relatives who have knowledge of Henry alive.

Hoping that Service Record will connect Henry back to my Family, and solve the question of what happened to him.

Thanks for all help in advance

Colin

[ralphjd]

Colin. No service records look to have survived for this person, the MIC gives no details other than he was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. Soldiers Died Great War entry has him being born Bibury and enlisting in Bristol, not a lot I am afraid. Ralph.

[KevinBattle]

The CWGC entry for Henry George Sheppard, Private 5083 1/6th Gloucestershire Reg't shows parents as James and Mary.

The 1901 and 1911 Census Returns confirm those three family members at Quenington, just a mile or so from Bibury, with sibling James.

SHEPPARD, HENRY GEORGE. Rank: Private. Service No: 5083. Date of Death: 27/08/1916. Age: 25

Regiment/Service: Gloucestershire Regiment. 1st/6th Bn.

Grave Reference: III. F. 6. Cemetery: PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY

Additional Information: Son of James and Mary Sheppard, of Bibury, Glos.

Medal Index Card just shows Victory and British War medals, so not Overseas until after 1915

Name: Henry George Sheppard. Birth Place: Bibury, Glos. Death Date: 27 Aug 1916.

Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Bristol.

Rank: Private. Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment. Battalion: 1/6th Battalion. Number: 5083

Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

Name: Henry G Shepherd. Age: 9. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1892.

Father's Name: James Shepherd. Mother's Name: Mary Shepherd

Where born: Quenington, Gloucestershire. Civil Parish: Hatherop

James Shepherd, 33; Mary Shepherd, 37; Mary I Shepherd, 14; Fenella Shepherd, 12; Henry G Shepherd, 9;

James Shepherd, 7; May Shepherd, 4.

Name: Henry George Sheppard. Age in 1911: 19. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1892.

Birth Place: Quenington, Gloucestershire. Street Address: Netherton Cottages, Quenington, Fairford

Occupation: Carter on Farm.

James Sheppard, 43; Mary Maria Sheppard, 46, married 25 years, 7 children, all alive in 1911.

Fenella Sheppard, 22; Henry George Sheppard, 19; James Sheppard, 17; May Sheppard, 14

Emily Maria Sheppard, 9; Gilbert John Sheppard, 2; Doris Lily Sheppard, 5 weeks

(7 children without 24 year old Mary I Sheppard)

Name: Henry George Sheppard. Date of Registration : Apr-May-Jun 1892. Registration District: Bath, Somerset

Volume: 5c. Page: 542.

Whilst I couldn't find a Service Record, I believe that the amount of circumstantial evidence from the above records should allow you to conclude that this Henry George Sheppard is your relation.

[reeves_colin]

Thank you very much for your hard work..

I am 100% certain that James Sheppard mentioned in the Census's is my Great Grandfather, and the family is my Ancestors.

With your help, I can now say to my Family what happened to Henry George. Thank you so much..

Colin

[KevinBattle]

Colin, it might be worth posting a separate thread asking for the War Diary entries for August 1916.

The 1st/6th lost 29 men between 20th and 27th August, the vast majority on 21/22 August, so it may be that Henry died at one of the CCS's at Puchevilliers:-

Historical Information:-

In June 1916, just before the opening of the Battles of the Somme, the 3rd and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations came to Puchevillers.

Plots I to V, and almost the whole of Plot VI were made by those hospitals before the end of March 1917.

From a little reading of the Somme Day by Day, the only specific references to the 1st/6th Gloucestershires are:-

Monday 21st August 1916. Authuille Wood

Action again east of the wood. At 6 pm the 1/4th Bn Gloucestershire Regt attacked the Leipzig Salient, joining the 1/6th Bn in Hindenberg Trench. On the left flank, the 1st Bn Wiltshires in 7 Bde, 25th Div occupied Lemburg Trench, increasing their hold on the Salient.

Tuesday 22nd August 1916. Authuille Wood

In the early morning the Germans attacked the forward posts of 1/6th Glosters in front of Hindenberg Trench. They were driven back by mortar fire and repulsed again in the evening.

It seems that three battalions (1st/4th; 1st/5th and 1st/6th) were all in one Brigade, so possibly men from one unit would be mingled with men from another, perhaps as work parties, ammunition and supplies, stretcher bearers etc.

No mention of 1st/6th on the 27th so either Henry was already mortally wounded and at the CCS or he was in a work party with 1st/5th when he was mortally wounded.

Sunday 27th August 1916. 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regt (143 Bde, 48th Div) attacked parts of Constance Trench on either side of Pole Trench. Running into their own barrage, they swerved to the flanks and were driven back by counter-attacks from Constance and Pole Trenches.

South west of Pole Trench, 1/4th Royal Berkshire Regt and 1/5th Gloucestershire Regt (145 Bde) took a trench network.

I can't say for certain whether he was wounded on 21st, 22nd or 27th but sometimes men would not be sent back to Field Hospitals if their wounds were so severe that there was little chance of survival. The War Diary may provide more accurate details than the broad overview I found.

Hope it helps in some small way.