Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Stenson Badcock a colliery foreman, born in the 1st quarter of 1863 in Coalville, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Badcock (nee Camp, married on the 26th December 1891 in St. Denys Church, Ibstock, Leicestershire), born 1861 in Ripley, Derbyshire. Henry Camp was born in the 1st quarter of 1898 in Ibstock, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Charles, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892 and William Ernest, born in the 2nd quarter of 1894, both siblings were born in Ibstock, in March 1901 the family home was at Swum Cique Cottages, 4, Hugglescote Road, Ibstock. In April 1911 Henry was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 52, Leicester Road, Ibstock, together with his father a colliery foreman, his mother and sibling Charles, a colliery bank shunter.
Henry enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 16th November 1914 in Coalville, and was allocated the service number 3293. He gave his age as 18 years 353 days.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 9½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 33½, his physical development was described as fair.
He gave his next of kin as his father, William Badcock, mother, Mary Jane Badcock and brother Charles Badcock, 52, Leicester Road, Ibstock.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Posted. 2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/11/14.
Embodied Service. Commenced. Pte. 16/11/14.
Embarked. Southampton. S.S. St. Petersburg. 25/6/15
Disembarked. Rouen. 26/6/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 31/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 16/11/14 – 24/6/15. 221 days.
France. 25/6/15 – 31/7/15. 37 days.
Total Service. 258 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Henry’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages, and these are in reasonable condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 31 July-15 - MAPLE COPSE. At 2.00am enemy shelled wood with universal shell and again at 8.00am, 4.00pm and 7.00pm. Battalion found carrying parties of grenades, rations etc., for 7th and 8th Battalion’s SHERWOOD FORESTERS.
On Friday, August, 6, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – IBSTOCK MAN KILLED. – Mr. William Badcock, of Leicester-road, Ibstock, has received information that his son Harry was killed in Flanders on Saturday night. He was a private in the 5th Leicester’s, and had been at the front nearly two months. A letter written by a comrade stated the young soldier was shot in the stomach and lived but a few minutes after. Before going to the front he was a member of the Ibstock Church Lads’ Brigade, and was educated at Coalville Grammar School. Rev. S. Flood, M.A., rector will conduct a memorial service at the Parish Church on Sunday evening. Mr. Badcock has another son in training in the Yorkshire Light Infantry (King’s Own). Although other Ibstock men have been seriously wounded, and at least one is a prisoner in Germany, this is the first death of one whose home is in Ibstock.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 6th, 1915.

Ibstock Man Killed

Mr William Badcock, of Leicester Road, Ibstock, has received information that his son Harry was killed in France on Saturday night. He was a private in the 5th Leicesters, and had been at the front nearly two months. A letter written by a comrade stated the young soldier was shot in the stomach and lived but a few minutes after. Before going to the front he was a member of the Ibstock Church Lads Brigade, and was educated at Coalville Grammar School. Rev. S. Flood, M.A., rector, will conduct a memorial service at the Parish Church on Sunday evening. Mr Badcock has another son in training in the Yorkshire Light Infantry (King’s Own). Although other Ibstock men have been seriously wounded and at least one is a prisoner in Germany, this is the first death of one whose home is at Ibstock.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 6th, 1915

Ibstock Soldier Killed

We regret the sad news received in a letter from the front on Wednesday morning by Mr Charles Badcock, that his youngest brother, Harry, had been killed in action on Sunday last. Harry Badcock was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs W. Badcock, of Leicester Road, Ibstock, and joined the 5th Leicesters in November last. He was a very promising young man, having gained a scholarship under the County Council entitling him to instruction at the Coalville Grammar School, a school he attended for a number of years. He was a member of the Ibstock Church Lads’ Brigade and was employed at the Ibstock Collieries Ltd. There has been no official confirmation of the death as yet and there remains the slender hope that it is not true.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 13th, 1915.

Ibstock Soldier's Death.

Mr and Mrs William Badcock, of Leicester Road, Ibstock, have now received official confirmation of their son, Harry’s death while on active service and they have been the recipients of many expressions of sympathy with them in their sad bereavement.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 13th, 1915.

Local Chit Chat

Pte. Harry Badcock, of the 5th Leicesters, killed in action, as reported in our last issue before enlisting worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery and not at the Ibstock Colliery as stated. We hope to be able to publish a photograph of the deceased in our next issue.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 20th, 1915

FORMER COALVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOY

KILLED IN ACTION

Pte. Harry Badcock, of the 5th Leicesters, youngest son of Mr and Mrs W. Badcock, of Leicester Road, Ibstock, killed in action on Sunday August 1st. He formerly attended the Coalville Grammar School having won a scholarship, and had also been a member of the Ibstock Church Lads’ Brigade. He was the first soldier from Ibstock reported killed, though, unfortunately, there have been one or two others since.

A letter from a comrade states that deceased was shot in the stomach and expired in a few minutes. He enlisted in November and had been at the front nearly two months.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 20th, 1915

1st (OR LEICESTERSHIRE) BATTALION - PETERBOROUGH REGIMENT

LOUGHBOROUGH AND DISTRICT COMPANIES

19th August, 1915. Dear Mr Chaplain Flood, - It is with the deepest regret I hear of the death at the front of Private Harry Badcock. Will you convey to his parents and friends my sincere sympathy in the loss they have sustained, the only consolation we have is that he laid down his life for the King, country and for you and me. Let us hope that at the last Grand Roll Call we may be permitted to thank the brave lad personally for what he has done for us. – I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant.

C. H. Adams, Major C.L.B. (Second in Command).
50 Frederick Street, Loughborough.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 27th, 1915.

The Late Pte. Badcock of Ibstock - Letter of sympathy from his comrades.

Mr and Mrs W. Badcock, of Ibstock, have received the following letter:

“Dear Sir, - I am returning herewith, letter received today. You must excuse me opening it but it is part of my duty to open letters sent to men of my company, who have, unfortunately, got killed. No doubt you know before now that your son has been killed and I want to express the sympathy of every officer and man of my company, in the irreparable loss you and your family have sustained by his death. It may be some little consolation to you to know that he died a soldier, doing his duty to King and Country, and although he has fallen, his name must live in the village from whence he came, to fight side by side with those already here, for one common cause. He is buried in a little cemetery behind the scene of action and a cross marks the spot where he lies in peace. Again, assuring you of the greatest and deepest sympathy of us all, - I remain, yours respectfully.”

R. Gorse. C. Qr.-M. Sergt.
A. Company, 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 28th, 1916

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private Harry Badcock, of the 5th Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action, July 31st, 1915.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 3rd, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private Harry Badcock, 1/5th Leicesters, who was killed at Ypres, July 31st, 1915.

From his loving Father and Mother, and Brothers.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 09/09/2017