Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Ralphs, an engineer’s clerk, born 1858 in Leicester and his wife Emily Ann Ralphs (nee Lever, married in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in the Leicester district), born 1866 in Leicester. Henry Cecil was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Holy Trinity, Leicester, his siblings were, Beatrice Emily, born 1890, Gladys May, born 1892 and Mabel Irene, born 1893, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 4, Mill Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a clerk and was residing in the family home at 2 & 4 Mill Street, Leicester, together with his father, a clerk, his mother and siblings, Gladys, a dressmaker, and Mabel a clerk.
Henry attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours and Army Reserve.) on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Holy Trinity, Leicester, his age as 20 years and 210 days and his trade or calling as clerk. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Henry, mother Emily Ann, and sister’s Beatrice, Gladys and Mabel, all of 10, Newton Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 116 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had brown eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. His physical development was described as good, but it was recorded that he was under weight. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 14802 on the 8/9/14. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/9/14. Appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal, at Aldershot on the 9/12/14. Appointed Paid Lance Corporal, at Aldershot on the 28/12/14. Appointed Acting Corporal, vice Chapman, at Perham Down on the 27/7/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to the 1/3rd Australian Field Ambulance, suffering from influenza on the -?-. Admitted to the Med. Du. Casualty Clearing Station suffering from influenza, in the field on the 25/8/15. Transferred tom the Northern Casualty Clearing Station on the 28/8/15. Transferred to the 1st General Hospital, Etaples on the 30/8/15. Discharged to the Base Depot, Etaples on the 15/9/15. Rejoined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 20/10/15. Confirmed in the rank of Corporal, in the field on the 6/12/15. Appointed Acting Sergeant, vice Rodwell, in the field on the 20/6/16. Admitted to the 63rd Field Ambulance suffering from P.O.U.O., in the field on the 2/8/16. Transferred to the 65th Field Ambulance, in the field on the 2/8/16. Transferred to Hospital, in the field on the 3/8/16. Transferred to 21st D.R.S. suffering from pyrexia, in the field on the 6/8/16. Transferred to the 60th Field Ambulance on the 6/8/16. Discharged to duty on the 20/8/16. Rejoined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 21/8/16. Reported missing in action, in the field on the 25/9/16. Confirmed killed in action, place not stated, in the field on the 25/9/16. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 8/9/14 – 28/7/15, 323 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 25/9/16, 1 year 59 days. Total service, 2 years 17 days. Henry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Henry’s mother Emily on the 15th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by F. Papprill, Clerk in Holy Orders, Holy Trinity Vicarage, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Henry Ralphs, of 10, Newtown Street, Leicester. Mother of soldier, Emily Ann Ralphs, of 10, Newtown Street, Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Beatrice Emily, age 28 of 10, Newtown Street, Leicester. Gladys May, age 27 of 10, Newtown Street, Leicester. Mabel Irene, age 26 of 10, Newtown Street, Leicester.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lt A. E. PETER, 2nd Lt. W. S. GILBERT, CSM POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lt. CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lt. RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lt. HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and CSM RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion HQ advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lt. HARDY, 2nd Lt. LEWIS, CSM RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lt. Col. HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion HQ advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion HQ viz: Lt. Col. HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT), Lt. TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt. TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lt. Col. HAIG and Lt. TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT were found without any officer. Lt. Col. HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lt. Col. HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade HQ, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lt. KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.
On Saturday, Monday and Tuesday 17th, 19th and 20th February1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – DEATHS. RALPHS.- 14802 Sergt. H. C. Ralphs, Leicester Regiment, only son of Mr and Mrs H. Ralphs, 10, Newtown Street, previously reported missing, now officially reported killed, Sept 25th, aged 22 years.
On Friday March 2nd 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. THE ROLL OF HONOUR” “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The followings local casualties are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown:- (Previously Reported Missing). KILLED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Ralphs, 14802 Act. Sergt. H. C. (Leicester).