Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Protheroe, a shoe trade finisher, born 1872 in Leicester and his wife Alice Protheroe (nee Johnson, married on the 31st March 1891 in the Parish Church, Anstey), a shoe trade machinist, born 28th August 1869 in Anstey, Leicestershire. Henry Edward was born on the 27th January 1891 in Anstey, his siblings were, Emma Elizabeth, born 1894, John William, born in the 3rd quarter of 1895, Joseph Wilfred, born 7th March 1898 and Herbert, born 7th September 1900, all his siblings were born in Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Anstey Green, Anstey. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a boot trade finisher and was residing in the family home at Church Lane, Anstey, together with his father, a boot trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Emma, a boot trade machinist, John, a boot trade finisher, Joseph, a shoe trade heel builder, Herbert a schoolboy and Henry Johnson, a schoolboy, born 21st March 1905 in Anstey. Henry also had another younger sibling, Ada Emily Johnson, born 9th April 1911 in Anstey. On the 15th November 1914, Henry married Emily Hobell in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey, Emily was born in 1895 in Leicester. On the 31st November 1914, a son John William was born. Henry’s parents later resided at Rosina Cottages, Edward Street, Anstey. Henry’s Father died in the 4th quarter of 1927 in Anstey, age 56 and his mother died in the 3rd quarter of 1944 in Anstey, age 75.
Henry’s younger brother John died in the 4th quarter of 1918 in the Lambeth, Surrey district, and was buried in an unmarked grave in Anstey Cemetery, on the 21st October 1918.
Henry enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 10th December 1915 in Anstey, and was allotted the service number 12/26818. He gave his age as 24 years 277 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as shoe finisher. He gave his present address as Park Road, Anstey, Leicestershire.
His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 24 years 277 days, that he was 5-feet 11 inches in height and had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches. He gave his religion as Primitive Methodist.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Emily Protheroe, Park Road, Anstey.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. 10/12/15.
To Army Reserve. 11/12/15.
Mobilized. 28/3/16.
Posted. To Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/3/16.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. 15/7/16.
Posted. To 11th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. (Midland Pioneers). 15/7/16.
Joined. 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 17/7/16.
Proceeded to join Battalion. In the Field. 2/9/16.
Joined. Battalion. In the Field. 4/9/16.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance, sick. In the Field. 26/11/16.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance, suffering from pleurisy. In the Field. 27/11/16.
Admitted. To 1 C.R.S. 64th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 2/12/16.
Returned. To duty. In the Field. 8/12/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 8/12/17.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 16/12/17.
Promoted. Corporal. 18/1/18.
Reported sick. In the Field. 5/2/18.
Admitted. To 6th D.R.S. suffering from PUO. In the Field. 5/2/18.
Admitted. To 1/2nd H. Field Ambulance. In the Field. 5/2/18.
Re-joined. Battalion In the Field. 16/2/18.
Killed in action. In the Field. 21/3/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 25/12/15 – 14/7/16. 203 days.
France. 15/7/16 – 21/3/18. 1 year 250 days.
Total Service. 2 years 88 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 - FREMICOURT. At 12:10am. Received orders from Division to ‘Stand To’ in the VAULX – MORCHIES Line from about C.20.d to about J.5.b (Sheet 57c). Companies were in position by 5:00am. The enemy attacked heavily, after an intense bombardment (which lasted from about 5:00am) at 8:00am and established themselves in position in front of the wire of the VAULX – MORCHIES Line by the evening. At 10:00pm. The rations and water and ammunition were sent up to Companies original billets. At 5:30pm. Received message from Sergeant N. H. A. BARRADELL, acting Company Sergeant Major of “D” Company to the effect that all the officers of his Company had become casualties and that he was in command of the Company. Six officers and about 30 other ranks were sent up from Headquarters to reinforce “D” Company.