Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Henstock, a domestic coachman, born 1856 in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, and his wife Rhoda Henstock (nee Kirk, married in the 4th quarter of 1884 in the Nottingham district), born 1865 in Woodhouse, Leicestershire. Horace Walter was born on the 26th August 1897 in Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire., his siblings were, Harriet Annie, a confectioner’s assistant, born 1885 in Nottingham and baptised in All Saint’s Church, Nottingham on the 14th February 1886, Emily Mabel, born 1890 and Lilian Bessie, born 1893, the latter two siblings were both born in Woodhouse, and Jessie Ann, born 1899 in Thurnby, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 31, Francis Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Horace residing in the family home at Bradgate Stables, Groby, Leicestershire, together with his father a domestic coachman, his mother and siblings, Mabel, a stock room worker, Jessie, a schoolgirl, Albert Edward, a schoolboy, born 1901 in Leicester, Margaret Rhoda, a schoolgirl, born 1904 in Nanpantan, Leicestershire, and Emma H. Diana, born 1906 in Bradgate, Leicestershire.
Horace enlisted on the 18th November 1915, he gave his home address as Bradgate Stables, Groby, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and his trade or calling as chauffeur. He gave his father William Henstock of Bradgate Stables, Groby, Leicestershire as his next of kin. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 34 inches. His complexion was described as medium, his hair colour was dark brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had four vaccination marks on his left arm. He was recommended for Motor Transport. His record of service records: Attached to 6th Battalion on the 27/11/15. Drafted from the 6th Battalion to the 1st Reserve Battalion Bideford on the 22/4/16. Attached to 2nd Drake Battalion “C” Company 5/16. Drafted to Howe Battalion, British Expeditionary Force, France from “A” Reserve Battalion Bideford as a Transport Driver on the 16/12/16. Rated Able Bodied Seaman on the 18/12/16. Embarked Folkestone, disembarked Boulogne on the 18/12/16. To Base Depot at Calais on the 19/12/16. Joined Howe Battalion on the 9/1/17. Admitted to 2nd Field Ambulance Royal Marine Division, France and transferred to 3rd Field Ambulance, Royal Marine Division, France. (ICT Heels – Inter Connecting Tissue – Sprained Ankle) on the 1/2/17. Discharged from hospital and rejoined Howe Battalion in the field on the 8/2/17. Killed in action on the 17/2/17. Buried at at R.2.b.2.0. Sheet 57D 1/40.000 on the 26/2/17. His body was exhumed from his battlefield resting place for re burial in Bucquoy, France on the 13th November 1920.
The War Diary records: 17 Feb-17 – TRENCHES. Zero was at 5.45am when the barrage opened and Battalion advanced on the SUNKEN ROAD, the 1st ROYAL MARINES advancing on the left. The objective was taken without much difficulty. Hostile barrage was considerable. We captured a machine gun and a number of prisoners – probably about 40. Consolidation was immediately begun and proceeded very satisfactorily – a line of posts being established 50 – 100 yards East of the Sunken Road. During the day enemy artillery maintained a heavy fire, PUISIEUX and RIVER trenches receiving special attention. Our casualties during the day were about 180 including 2 Officers killed (Sub Lieutenant’s SHEA and HAINES) and 7 wounded.