INCE, Harry


No.28239, Private, Harry INCE
Aged 30


11th Battalion, Essex Regiment
Killed in Action presumed on Sunday, 22nd April 1917


Harry Ince was born in Stoke by Clare on 29th November 1886 (Risbridge Q4:1886 4A:632), baptised in St John the Baptist in Stoke by Clare on 16th January 1887, son of George and Frances INCE (née SMITH).
He was admitted to Stoke by Clare National/Voluntary School in April 1879.

1891 census...Aged 4, he was at The Cottages, The Street, Stoke by Clare with his father George INCE [41] farm labourer; his mother Frances [36]; brother [James] William [12]; sisters Kate [6] and Ada [1]. All were born in Stoke by Clare.

His mother died in 1893 and his father in 1896

1901 census...Aged 14, farm labourer, he was at Mill Green, Stoke by Clare with his uncle James CLARKE [67] farm labourer; aunt Hannah CLARKE [43]; brother William (farm labourer) and sister Ada

He married Rose Elizabeth SMITH (b.26-5-1883) in 1907.

1911 census...Aged 24, farm labourer, he was at the Green, Stoke by Clare with his wife Rose Elizabeth [27] born Clare, and their son Reginald Harry born Stoke by Clare on 16th June 1909.

The pension card also records their daughter Gladys Rosamond, born 29-5-1911. Rose and the children were living at Lower Green, Stoke by Clare.


He enlisted in Clare.
The battalion were in action just north of Lens, around Hill 70 and the Double Crassier Railway. On the 22nd April the 14th D.L.I. and the 11th Essex Regiment delivered a combined attack. The 14th D.L.I. secured the whole of their objective, with forty-six prisoners and three machine-guns, but the 11th Essex Regiment was unable to gain any ground. The 46th Division had been prevented by uncut wire from co-operating in the attack.
They lost 64 men



photo: Roy Beardsworth



Harry Ince is commemorated on the Loss Memorial, Dud Corner, panels 85 - 87

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


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