Dates:
War Service:
Private Henry Charles Williams, 20th (County of London) Battalion (Blackheath and Woolwich), London Regiment was killed in action on the 21st March 1916, aged 18. He enlisted at Blackheath and arrived in France on the 9th March 1915.
Following his death his officer wrote to his parents “It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of your son, who was killed two days ago in the trenches by a rifle grenade. Death was instantaneous so that he suffered no pain at all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a hard worker and one who was always cheerful. He was buried that night by the chaplain in a little British cemetery which lies just behind the firing line, and a cross will be erected over the grave to give us a visible reminder of a valuable life lost. You have the small consolation that he died doing well the duty which so many at home still wish to shirk”.
He is buried and remembered in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.
Location of Memorial:
He is remembered on the memorials at St Andrew's Church, Catford and on the 20th London Regiment Roll of Honour
Details:
He was the only son (he had sisters) of Henry Charles and Mary Ann Williams of 155 Killearn Road, Catford. In March 1917 the following In Memoriam notice appeared in the Kentish Mercury “In loving memory of our only son and brother, Harry, of the London Regiment, killed in action, March 21st 1916 – Mum, Dad and Sisters. A year has passed. Oh how we miss him. Some may think the wound has healed. Yet they little know the sorrow That is within our hearts concealed”.
Source:
Contributed By: Kevin Loughnane
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