Pte Sidney Henson No. 4702 1/7th Bn Duke of Wellington's Regiment

[DaveC]

Hi Everybody seeking information on Pte Sidney Henson No. 4702 1/7th Bn Duke of Wellington's Regiment.    Enlisted, Newark, Resident, Nottingham KIA 03/09/1916.   Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. also on Cotgrove War Memorial .  Any help most welcome.    Kindest Regards Dave (Stay Safe)

[johnmelling1979]

Found this information about him, if you have not seen it before

 

http://cbocgwp.co.uk/sydney-henson/

 

They were all involved in an attack at Thiepval on September 3rd 1916

 

I think the 1st 7th Duke of Wellington’s seemed to have spent the day in reserve in Thiepval Wood under heavy shellfire.

 

147th Infantry Brigade, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment: DEATHS on the day !?

1st 4th Battalion, 147

1st 5th Battalion, 106

1st 6th Battalion, 16

1st 7th Battalion, 25

 

 

 

The War diary of the 1st 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment for the 3rd September 1916:

“The battalion was in position about 3-45 a.m. A, B & D Companies occupied the Assembly Parallels and C Company in dugouts in the old British Front Line. Battalion headquarters and the H.Q. Company were accommodated in Whitchurch Street (about Q. 30. b. 8. 6). The 39th and 49th Divisions assaulted the German Lines astride the River Ancre, simultaneously at 5-10 a.m. The task of the 49th Division was to capture and consolidate the German front line and support trenches as follows, front line from R. 19. C. 8. 4. (Inclusive) to River Ancre. Support Line from R. 19. C. 9. 5. (Inclusive) to River Ancre. The objective of the 39th Division was the German trench from Q. 18. B. ½. 2. To Q. 17. B. 5. 8.

The assault was preceded by an intense Artillery barrage on the German front line for 3 minutes, under which the assaulting infantry advanced. The barrage lifted from the front line at 5-13 a.m. on to the Support Line for a further 5 minutes. Heavy artillery in addition to 18 pounders, fired within limits of safety on Thiepval, Trench System R. 25. b. 40. 95 - 15. 90. - R. 19. c. 85. 20. R. 19. d. 05. 30. Trench System forming South front of Schwarben Redoubt, Strassburg Trench and St. Pierre Divion. The attacking troops of the 49th Division were 146th Brigade and 147th Brigade.

 

The dispositions of the 147th Brigade were as follows:

1/4th West Riding Regiment, Right assaulting battalion with its objective, front line, R. 19. c. 8. 4. (Inclusive) to R. 19. c. 5. 4. (Inclusive), German support line from R. 19. c. 9. 5. (Inclusive) to R. 19. c. 6. 6. (Inclusive).

1/5th West Riding Regiment, Left assaulting battalion with its objective, front line from R. 19. c. 5. 4. (Exclusive) to R. 19. 6. 1. 6. German support line from R. 19. c. 6. 6. (Exclusive) to R. 19. c. 3. 8. (Inclusive).

1/7th West Riding Regiment in Brigade Support and accommodated in assembly slits in Forres Street, Thiepval Wood.

 

 

 

John

Edited 25 March , 2020 by johnmelling1979

[DaveC]

Hi John

   Many thanks for your reply, I found it quite interesting.    Would you happen to know if he was mentioned in the local newspapers, photo obituary etc.   Kindest Regards DaveC (Stay Safe)                                          

[johnmelling1979]

Hello

 

Due to the present situation we are stuck in! 

I've had to stop spending money on any of my subscriptions to various helpful sources!!

I would think there must be at least one mention in a surviving newspaper 

 

John

 

 

 

Edited 27 March , 2020 by johnmelling1979

[charlie962]

There is a surviving (brief) service record for him that adds

Embarked Folkestone and landed Boulogne 30/7/16

Joined 34 Infantry Base Depot   31/7/16

 

Killed in action 3/9/16 so only 5 weeks Field service before his death .

 

Charlie

[George Rayner]

This is a partial from the service record on Ancestry

 

 

George

 

[George Rayner]

34th Inf Base was at Etaples at that time from record

 

George

[DaveC]

Many thanks Charlie George and John for all your help,   Hope somebody can find a newspaper article  relating to Pte Henson and maybe photo?   Kindest and Warmest Regards

DaveC  (Stay Safe)