Leatherhead War Memorials: Henry Shepherd

Private
Hubert H Shepherd [sic]
10th Royal West
Surrey Regt
France
June 21 1917

The Parish magazine issue of August 1917, reporting the death in action of Henry Albert Herbert Shepherd, also of the Queens said that his brother William Charles Shepherd had been 'killed not a year previously'. (1)

[Liam's following remarks should be read in the light of later knowledge that Henry Shepherd was actually in the 1oth Bn]

The Queens records (2) give the following personal details. His names were actually Henry Albert Herbert Shepherd. His number was G7086 and he was a Private in the 1st Bn., not the 10th, like the war memorial states.

He was born and enlisted in Leatherhead and the entry confirms that he was 'killed in action' on 21 June 1917.

However, the War Diary of the 1st Bn. (3) indicates that from 31st May onwards, the unit was temporarily out of the line, and in Moyenville and engaged in 'training and general duties'.

But in the period 20–23 May, the battalion incurred heavy casualties in the 'Hindenburg' Line, consisting of four officers wounded, 90 ORs killed, 2 ORs died of wounds, one man wounded but on duty, and 8 men missing.

By the 24th, the battalion was in Moyenville, but on the 28th they relieved the 2nd. Bn. Cameroonians in the line. As previously stated, they return to Moyenville on the 31st. Whilst in the line, they had been engaged 'in deepening trenches' and had come under shellfire. The possibility exists that Henry Shepherd was either killed or sustained mortal injuries in the periods 20–23 and 28–31st May and survived until 21st June.

However, the War Diary of the 10th Queens to which the War Memorial wrongly [sic] attributes the deceased (4) indicates that they were in the trenches around DAMMSTRASSE in the period 18–21st June and that an officer was wounded and one OR was killed.

It is regrettably it not possible to give a clear date of when Henry Shepherd died.

The Parish magazine extended its sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd (2) "who had had lost two gallant sons".

Notes on sources
1. Parish magazine of St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of August 1917.
2. Soldiers Who Died in the Great War – Queens Regimental Museum, Clandon Park, Surrey
3. File WO95–2430 War Diary 1st. Bn. Queens, Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew
4. File W095–2643 War Diary 10th. Bn. Queens, Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew

Further research

Private
SHEPHERD, H A H
Service Number 7086
Died 21/06/1917
10th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Buried at VOORMEZEELE ENCLOSURE NO.3
Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cemetery/memorial reference: XIII. C. 19.

LEATHERHEAD MAN KILLED IN ACTION.
It is our painful duty to record the death in action of another Leatherhead man, and the sadness of the task is heightened by the fact that the subject this report lost a brother similarly about a year ago.

Private Herbert Henry Shepherd (whose portrait we hope to reproduce in our next issue) [sic] was attached to the 10th Battalion Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regt., and had resided in Leatherhead since boyhood, being educated at Poplar Road School (under the headmastership of Mr. Burgess). He was also, previous to joining the forces, member of All Saints' Choir, and obtained a livelihood as a groom in the service of Mr. C. S. Gordon Clark, Fetcham Lodge, who, in a letter recently sent to Mrs. Shepherd, says: "When his call came to join the forces he left with the heartiest goodwill and affection from all with whom he had been brought into contact.”

Deceased had been twice to France, whence he was invalided home suffering from dysentery in July of last year. He was in Reading Military Hospital two months or more, and returned to his regiment in December last, and went out to France again in February, where he was killed in action, as stated above, on the 21st June.

The deepest sympathy of a large circle of people is extended to Mr. and Mrs. H. Shepherd, the parents, who reside at 3, Oakleigh-terrace, and who have thus lost two gallant sons within twelve months.

Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 29 December 1917

The list which present has been compiled from the names that have been recorded in our Columns during the past year....
SEPTEMBER
SHEPHERD, Pte. H.H., The Queen's, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Shepherd, 3, Oakleigh Terrace, Leatherhead who have thus lost two sons in the war.

the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty,
and of any recollections within his family

LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI

Private Henry Albert Hubert Shepherd
10 Bn The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Town Memorial P7.R3.C1

Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS

Further research

LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI

Private Henry Albert Hubert Shepherd 10 Bn The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Town Memorial P7.R3.C1

Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS

Further research

Private Henry Albert Hubert Shepherd
10 Bn The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)