SHIPP, Harry


No.8402, Guardsman, Harry SHIPP
Aged 33


1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards
Killed in Action on Saturday, 13th March 1915

An Old Contemptible


His medals would look like this


Henry SHIPP was born in Haverhill on 25th July 1881, (Risbridge Q3-1881 4A:519),son of George and Elizabeth SHIPP (née WHITING). His mother was just 16 when she married George in St Mary's Haverhill on 30th August 1879.

1891 census...Aged 9, he was at 90 Burton End, Haverhill with his father George SHIPP [29] brick maker; his mother Elizabeth [28]; brothers George [12] and John [4]; sisters Phoebe [6] and Sarah [1].

1901 census... Aged 19 he was in the Grenadier Guards in Windsor. At 8 Lawrence Road, Edmonton were his father George SHIPP [39] a navvy; his mother Elizabeth [38]; brothers George [22] navvy, John [14] navvy and Albert [9]; sisters Kate (Phoebe) [16] cigar factory labourer, and Rose (Sarah) [11] and a visitor Ernest TILBROOK [3]. All were born in Haverhill. Ernest TILBROOK appears to be the son of Sarah Ann TILBROOK who died in childbirth in 1898 and could possibly be the son of George SHIPP junior. Again there can be confusion as 3 Ernest TILBROOK were born around that time in Risbridge.


He married Mary GRAVES [26-1-1885] in St Mary's Edmonton on 12th July 1903, they were both aged 21. Sister Kate was one witness.

1911 census...Aged 28, a general labourer, he was at 1 Denhams Cottages, Montague Road, Town Road, Lower Edmonton with his wife Mary [26] born Edmonton; son Henry George [21-10-1903]; daughters Rose Sophia [8-11-1906] and Beatrice [13-11-1910]. Mary had borne 6 children but lost 3 of them.
They went on to have 2 more children, Kathleen Laura [28-10-1912] and Alfred Joh [121-11-1914]
Brother Albert was now a Private in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards at St Margaret and St John, London. His parents were now at 43 Folkestone Road, Edmonton with his brothers George (builder's labourer) and John(G.E.R. labourer); sister Rose (machinist in cartridge factory) and Ernest SHIPP[12] who is now recorded as SHIPP, not TILBROOK and son of George (senr)

His father's later address was 22 Brettenham Road, Edmonton, his mother having died in 1912. His widow was living at 8 Ascot Road, Brettenham Road, Edmonton when she applied for his 1914 Star.

His brother Albert was killed serving in Belgium in the Grenadier Guards in 1914 see here


His brother John William also served, enlisting on 5th August 1914,No.TR/4/24852 in the 63rd Training Reserve Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. He seems never to have been fit enough for overseas service. He was discharged at Shrewsbury on 27th September 19i6 by reason of arterial sclerosis and mitral stenosis, congestion of face and hands. The Army deemed him permanently unfit for service but that his ill health was not caused by or aggravated by military service. He returned to live at his father's address 22 Stanley Terrace, Brettenham Road, Edmonton.He was then aged 29.

His adopted brother Ernest was killed serving in France in the Royal Irish Regiment see here




He served in the South African War with the 2nd Battalion and was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. For the Great War he enlisted in London.

The South West Suffolk Echo on 26th September 1914 reported that he had rejoined his old regiment.

The South West Suffolk Echo on 8th April 1915 reported:-
"Recent casualties at the Front claim two more Haverhill natives, though for the past few years they have been resident at Edmonton.Pte H. Shipp of the Grenadier Guards, was killed in the recent engagement at Neuve Chapelle. He leaves a widow and five young children. Deceased had previously seen service during the South African War with the Grenadier Guards. For three years he served with the colours and was in the Reserve for nine years. He afterwards took on Section D under which he was called up for the recent war.
Pte. Albert Shipp of the same Regiment has been missing since the Battle of Wyverstone (sic - surely Ypres) and it is feared he has also been killed."


The battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 turned out to be a wasted effort. The first real British inspired attack, a very heavy pre attack barrage and many objectives were quickly seized but instead off a break out, a combination of heavy ground, lack of initiative and also of ammunition gave the Germans time to counter-attack and hold. The 1st Grenadiers war diary has no locations mentioned but they were on the left of 20th Division, to the north east of Neuve Chapelle:-
"March 13th - During the early hours of the morning, at 3:30 am, a message was received to the effect that the Battn would move to a new position on the left of the 7th Division. In consequence of the darkness and difficulties of the ground progress was very slow and it was till 5:30 am before the leading company was in rear of the right Coy of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. By this time it was getting very light and the enemy began shooting, casualties occurring at once. The men did the only thing possible, dug themselves in where they were facing the enemy, but unfortunately they were in small parties except on the right and communication became impossible. Major Duberly was killed very soon after this. A short time later Lt Col Fisher Rowe came up with orders but before he could reach the company he was hit. Lt. Ethelston was also killed [recorded by CWGC as on 14th).
The Battn was by now was over a very scattered area and owing to the heavy shelling our own guns also shelling this Battn. On the night of 13/14 the Battn went into billets at LAVENTIE, The casualties during these operations were 14 Officers and 325 men.

CWGC records 22 of the battalion killed on 13th, only 6 with known graves, their worst day being the 10th when 52 died. The Battalion




photo: Rodney Gibson



Harry Shipp is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial, panel 2

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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