LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Private Henry Sherwood
9th Bn Norfolk Regiment
Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS
Pte
Henry Sherwood
9th Norfolk
Regt
Mons
May 21 1916 [sic]
There are some contradictions in this inscription. First, by the date in
question Mons was far behind the German lines, and Henry Sherwood was
not a prisoner of war when he died.
The 9th. Bn. did not apparently go out to France until August 1916 (see
'Supplementary Guide' in P.R.O.), but the 1st. Bn. of the Norfolk's was
already in France and Flanders.
The regimental records (1) state that Henry Sherwood was born in Raynes
Park and enlisted at Kingston upon Thames and he was 'killed in action'
on the 20th, that is a day earlier than that recorded, and was in the
9th. Bn.
The Parish magazine (2) gives his unit as the 5th. Bn.
Notes on sources
1. Soldiers Who Died in the Great War (Royal Norfolks) - Imperial War
Museum, Lambeth.
2. Parish magazine of Saint Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of
July 1916.
3. The War Diary of the 9th Norfolks is reference W095–1573 at the
Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew.
Further research
Private
SHERWOOD, HENRY
Service Number 14935
Died 20/05/1916
Aged 24
9th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
Son of Henry Sherwood, of 122, Kingston Rd., Leatherhead, Surrey.
INSCRIPTION
REST IN PEACE
Buried at LA
BRIQUE MILITARY CEMETERY NO.2
Location: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Cemetery/memorial reference: I. W. 19.
He was time expired in the 4th Battalion, East Surrey
Regiment before he enlisted at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey on 5 September
1914 into the 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment with service number 14935.
He was working as a Labourer when he enlisted.
He was just over 5ft 3" tall, well built, with a fresh
complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
WAR DIARY 9 Bn Norfolk Regiment WO 95/1623
X10 TRENCH 18/5/16 Shrapnel shell
over CAMP 'O' casualties 5 OR wounded.
Relieved 9th Suffolk in front-line trenches relief complete midnight.
Bn HQ X 10 TRENCH 19/5/16
Distribution:
A Co
B15 2 platoons 4 Officers 70 OR
B16 2 platoons 1 Officer 77 OR
B Co
B13 3 platoons 2 Officers 110 OR
S13 1 platoon 3 Officers 42 OR
C Co
B14 2 platoons 2 Officers 70 OR
S14 1 3/4 platoons 2 Officers 57 OR
S16B 1/4 platoon - Officers 13 OR
D Co
Forward Cottage 1 platoon 1 Officer 42 OR
Tower and McGregor Posts 1 platoon 1 Officer 45 OR
X9 X10 2 platoons 2 Officers 82 OR
Casualties 10 are killed 3 OR wounded
Lieut. FAILES, 2nd Lieut. ANTONY returned from leave.
2nd Lieut. GREEN returned from MG course. Capt. JEPHSON wounded slight
2nd Lieut. GODDARD and 2nd Lieut. JONES on leave
X10 20/5/16 May 1916
B14 trench shelled by enemy with 4.5 several times during the day.
Casualties noon to noon 1 OR killed 1 OR wounded.
X10 21/5/16
Casualties noon to noon 1 OR killed 1 OR wounded. A good deal of shelling
all day, with a quieter night stop. SOS test carried out in 3 minutes from
front line to gunfire.
West Sussex Gazette
8 June 1916
A letter has been received from
his Commanding Officer that Pte H Sherwood, Kingston-road, has been killed
in action.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 30 December 1916
LEATHERHEAD AND DISTRICT
MARCH [sic]
SHERWOOD, Pte. Henry, Norfolks. son of Mrs. Sherwood, Kingston-road,
Leatherhead.
His life
Henry Sherwood was born on 30 July 1891 Raynes Park, Surrey. He was an
only child.
His father was Henry Sherwood, born 26 May 1861 at Pirbright, Surrey. He
was a Coal Carter, a son of Henry (a Labourer) & Louisa Sherwood
from Pirbright.
His mother was Eliza Dyson, born about 1864, Warley, Essex. She was a
daughter of Henry Dyson (an Agricultural Labourer) and Mary Mercoler.
Their marriage Q4 1890 was registered in Billericay,
Essex.
Henry lived at:
1891 Census (father): 3 Harriotts Cottages, West Barns Lane,
Raynes Park
1901 Census: West Barns Cottages, West Barns Lane, Raynes Park
1911 Census: Nr. Gas Works, Kingston Road, Leatherhead: Coal
Wharfman
After the war
His mother is thought to have died in 1920, registered at Epsom.
Henry is named on a plaque in Leatherhead Methodist
Church.
In 1939 his 78 year old father was living at 122 Kingston
Road, Leatherhead, with a cook and District Nurse in the household. His
father's death in 1944 was registered in Surrey South Western District.
Henry Sherwood is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of
Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead
Parish Church
Leatherhead Company, Church Lads
Brigade Tryptich, All Saints Church
Leatherhead Methodist Church
Surrey
in the Great War
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, and of any recollections within his family
last updated 30 Nov 20