Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Peter Henry, a boot and shoe warehouseman, born on the 28th December 1862 in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scotland (son of Peter (Patrick) Henry, 1828-1891 and Susan Doyle, 1830-1883) and his wife, Mary Agnes Henry (nee Leader, married on the 26th September 1884), born 1859 in Queenstown, Co. Cork, Ireland (daughter of James Leader, 1832 and Catherine Davy, 1829). Charles Edward was born in the October quarter of 1887 in Holy Cross, Leicester, his siblings were, Philip, a schoolboy, born on the 30th June 1885 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland and Lawrence, born on the 19th January 1890 in Aylestone, Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Saffron Lane, St. James,’ Aylestone Park, Leicester. In March 1901 Charles was employed as a shoe trade presser and was residing in the family home at 7, Paddock Street, St. Margaret’s, Leicester, together with his father, a leather warehouseman, his mother and siblings, Philip, a shoe trade sewer, Lawrence, Wilfrid James, born in the January quarter of 1893 and Florence Kathleen, born in the July quarter of 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester. Florence died aged 8 years in May 1905, and was interred on the 29th May in Gilroes Cemetery, Groby Road, Leicester. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at 140, Lancaster Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a boot trade warehouseman, his mother and siblings, Philip, a boot trade tacker and Wilfrid, a boot trade finisher, meanwhile Charles was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Aldershot, Hampshire. Charles’s mother died aged 56 years in August 1915 and was interred on the 30th August in Gilroes Cemetery, Groby Road, Leicester, her husband died aged 60 years in January 1921 and was interred on the 26th January in Gilroes Cemetery, Groby Road, Leicester. Charles’s elder brother Philip, died on the 6th December 1917 from wounds received in action.
Charles enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 4th August 1909 in Shorncliffe, and was allotted the regimental service number 8856. He gave his place of birth as Holy Cross, Leicester and age as 18 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Shorncliffe on the 21st August 1909 and recorded his birthplace as Holy Cross, Leicester, declared age as 18 years, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 4⅛ inches in height, weighed 110½ lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his vision was described as R.6/6. L.6/6. his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Shorncliffe on the 4th August 1909. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years, height 5-feet 4⅛ inches weight 110½ lbs, chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, 3 operation scars on inner side of right thigh, knee and leg. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 21st August 1909. Place Shorncliffe.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Peter Henry, mother Agnes Henry, 140, Lancaster Street, North Evington, Leicester. Brother (o) Lawrence, Leicestershire Regt. Philip (o), Wilfrid (y), 140, Lancaster Street, North Evington, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Shorncliffe. 24/8/09.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/8/09 – 5/1/10
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Army Education. 17/12/09.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Aldershot. 6/1/10 – 27/9/12.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Fermoy. 29/9/12 – 22/9/13.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Leicester. Pte. 23/9/13.
Transferred. On mobilization to 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 8/8/14.
Landed. 21/11/14.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 21/11/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 10/4/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 21/6/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 24/8/09 – 20/11/14. 5 years 89 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 21/11/14 – 21/6/15. 213 days.
Total Service. 5 years 302 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, 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 Jun-15 - VERLORENHOER ROAD – WIELTJE TRENCHES. (Monday) A good deal of shelling, 2 shells on “A” Company causing 1 killed and 10 wounded.
On Friday July 23rd 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – EIGHT “TIGERS” KILLED. The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment (1st Battalion), are reported from the Base under date 3rd July: - Abbott, 10175, Private G. S. Brownlow, 6058, Private A. Henry, 8856, Lance Corporal C. Horton, 7736, Private B. Morris, 7355, Private G. Smalley, 12064, Private J. T. W. Wale, 7291, Private J. Watts, 6663, Private C.
On Wednesday, December 8th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTERS KILLED AND MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – L.-Cpl. CHAS. HENRY, 1st Leicester’s, killed in action in France at place unknown. His home was at 140, Lancaster-street.