Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Cash, an earthenware manufacturer, born 1842 in Woodville, Derbyshire and his wife Elizabeth Cash (nee Blakesley, married on the 18th December 1875 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire), born 1849 in Thringstone, Leicestershire. Henry Watts, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1877 in Woodville, his siblings were, Augustus Blakesley, a schoolboy, born 1879 and Percy Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1882, both his siblings were born in Woodville, in April 1891 the family home was at Butt House, High Street, Woodville. In April 1901 Henry was absent from the family home at Butt House, High Street, Woodville, residing there was his father, a brick and pipe manufacturer, his mother and siblings, Augustus Blakesley, a commercial clerk and Percy Thomas, a student. Henry was employed as an electrical engineer and was residing as a visitor at Ermine Villa’s, 1, Empingham Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, this being the family home of his fiancée, Lily Ethel Daniels, born in the 4th quarter of 1876 in Stamford and her parents, Henry Thomas Daniels, an iron merchant, born 1850 in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, his wife Eliza Ann Daniels (nee Gilbert, married in the 2nd quarter of 1870 in the Stamford, Lincolnshire district), born 1847 in Leicester. In July 1901 Henry married Lily in the Stamford, Lincolnshire district. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a builders Merchant’s manager and was residing in the family home at Upland Wembdon Road, Bridgewater, Somerset, together with his wife and children, Oscar Henry G., born October 1902, Dorothy Gladys, born in the 3rd quarter of 1904, Marjorie Eveline, born in the 4th quarter of 1905 and Joan Elizabeth, born in the 4th quarter of 1907, all the children were born in Woodville. Henry’s father who was residing at Butt House, High Street, Woodville, died on the 18th January 1921 aged 79, his mother residing at the same address died on the 7th June 1923.
Henry’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted in Bristol, Gloucestershire into the Gloucestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 14865, and was posted as a Private to the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 21st November 1915. He was awarded the 1915 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 3 Sep-16 – South of GUILLEMONT. 12 Noon. Battalion took part in general attack on German trenches carried out by XIVth and XVth Corps and the French. Final objective taken. 2nd Lieutenant L. C. H. VINCENT and 44 Other Ranks killed. Captain E. A. ROBINSON – 2nd Lieutenant S. REYNOLDS – 2nd Lieutenant E. L. HILLBORNE – 2nd Lieutenant G. H. HALL – Lieutenant C. BARRINGTON – 2nd Lieutenant A. LAIRD – 2nd Lieutenant L. C. EVANS – Captain T. M. ALLISON – Lieutenant G. B. R. GEDYE – 2nd Lieutenant F. C. HOWARD and 225 Other Ranks wounded. 48 Other Ranks missing.
12th Gloucestershire Regiment – Operation Order No. A.4.2/9/16.
The Battalion will relieve the 1st East Surrey Regiment in the line tonight, marching via MARICOURT and MARICOURT-BRICQUERTERIE ROAD, thence via road about A.4.d.3.4 leading eastwards into MALTZHORN VALLEY, thence via EXETER TRENCH.
Order of march C. A. B. D. Platoons at 199 yards distance.
Time of parade – 6. 45pm.
Dress – Fighting order, haversack with 2 days rations as well as iron rations. 4 Sandbags per man and two Mills Bombs to be carried. Companies will arrange to have these Bombs detonated ready for issue by 4.00pm this afternoon.
Order of relief – “C” Company marching via EXETER AND BANTAM TRENCH will relieve the 1st East Surrey Regiment with 2 platoons in front line, taking half of DEVON TRENCH and part of LONELY TRENCH as indicated by Company Commander.
This latter part as a temporary measure until relieved by Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Supporting platoons of “C” Company will march via LONELY TRENCH and occupy BODMIN SOUTH TRENCH.
“A” Company will be disposed in BANTAM and DEVON TRENCHES with an overflow, if necessary, in LONELY TRENCH.
NB. It is to be noted that the limit allotted to the Battalion on the left is the junction of DEVON and LONELY TRENCH except for the temporary occupation of LONELY TRENCH North of that junction alluded to above.
“B” Company on arrival at GLOUCESTER TRENCH will file into that and occupy it from the extreme right nearly as far as CHUTE TRENCH.
“D” Company will occupy GLOUCESTER TRENCH from the left of “B” with any overflow in ASSEMBLY TRENCH, leaving EXETER TRENCH clear as far as possible.
H.Q. of the Battalion will be in ASSEMBLY TRENCH where old Devon Headquarters were and in accordance with orders received will not move from that point until the 3rd objective has been captured.
All ranks are warned to be as economical with water as it may be difficult to get fresh supplies. All water bottles will be filled before starting.
Officers kits and packs will be stacked ready for loading at 5.00pm at this bivouac, but will not be removed by transport until after 6.00pm.
A guard of 1 N.C.O. left behind with transport will be detailed by Major Blennerhassett to remain in charge of kits etc until removal by transport tonight is completed.
(Sd) J. P. Webb.
Lieut. & A/Adjt.
12th Bn. Gloucestershire Regt.
1 pm.
2/9/16.
OPERATION ORDER No. A.3. – 2nd September 1916.
[1] The 95th Brigade will take part in the General attack upon the German position South of GUILLEMONT tomorrow 3rd inst and will advance on the left of the 13th Infantry Brigade.
The left of the 5th Division runs through the line from T.25.a.35.25 and T.25.a.1.2.
The right of the 95th Brigade will run through the line from GORDON TRENCH B.1.a.9.7, B.1.b.30.50 inclusive to Northern corner of WEDGE WOOD.
The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry will be on the left of the 12th Gloucestershire Regiment and their right will run from junction of LONELY and DEVON TRENCH through and including cross roads about T.25.6.4 point about T.25.d.7.9.
1st Devonshire Regiment will support Gloucestershire Regiment, the 1st East Surrey Regiment, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
[2] “A” and “C” Companies will form first two waves of the assault, “A” Company on the right and “C” on the left, and will divide the area allotted to 12th Gloucestershire Regiment.
[3] Objectives: The first objective will be the German trench running South East from Cross Roads about T.25.c.6.4 on the left. This is expected to be only lightly held and the first wave will pass over this as soon as possible, and reach and deal with dugouts about T.25.c.9.4 indicated to Company Commanders.
On right “A” Company will endeavour to capture Machine Gun position about B.1.b.3.7.
[4] Barrage for first objective: The barrage will lift off the line of the first German trench at C.3 and will lift off the dugouts and Machine Gun position at 0 plus 10. The barrage will then be maintained in front of captured positions until 0 plus 50 when it will lift on to second objective.
[5] Consolidation: After capture of First Objective, first and second waves will consolidate, assisted by 3rd wave (leading platoons of “B” and “D” Companies) whilst 4th wave (rear platoons of “B” and “D” Companies) occupy Assembly Trenches in front of LONELY TRENCH.
[6] Second Objective: The German Trenches from North East corner of WEDGE WOOD to point about T.25.d.6.8 inclusive. The first and second waves will advance on second objective at 0 plus 50 if necessary reinforced by 3rd wave. The bombardment of the 2nd objective will be from 0 plus 50 to 0 plus 60 and every endeavour will be made to advance as close to the barrage as possible. A creeping barrage will also be kept up in front of our advance. On arrival at second objective the left Company will bomb up the “Y” shaped trench running back from the German line and establish a block. The right will get touch with the 13th Brigade on our right. The barrage will remain in front of second objective from 0 plus 60 to 0 plus 120 which time is to be spent in consolidating as far as possible.
[7] Third objective: At 0 plus 120 an advance will be made to the third objective, which is North corner of WEDGE WOOD to point where “Y” trench joins GINCHY ROAD. In order to avoid a wheel, the Artillery have arranged to lift off the GINCHY ROAD gradually from the South, timing the lifts in accordance with the distance troops will have to cover.
[8] On arrival at 3rd objective, patrols will be pushed forward and under cover of these patrols, the line will be established as close to next German Position as possible, this line to be in touch with Brigades, on flanks and should run through T.26.c central to T.20.d.
[9] Flares: Flares will be lit
[1] On attaining each objective.
[2] At 7.00pm.
[3] At 6.00am next morning.
[10] Grenades: 24 Bombers per Company will each carry 10 Bombs before leaving Bivouacs. 2 Mills Bombs per man will be carried on the man. “P” Bombs will be issued on the 3rd inst to “B” and “D” Companies for use with dugouts on first objective. A proportion of Smoke Bombs will also be issued on 3rd inst.
[11] Prisoners: Prisoners will all be sent to Brigade Headquarters – not more than 10% escort.
[12] All Companies will arrange to cut steps in trenches in order to get out of them quickly.
[13] Watches will be synchronised tonight and at 11.00pm tomorrow.
[14] Brigade Headquarters will be in MALTZ HORN TRENCH.
[15] Battalion Headquarters will be in Assembly Trench near Daniel Alley.
J. P. Webb.
Lt. & A/Adjt.
12th Glouc. Regt.
2nd September 1916.