No.2251, Private, Geoffrey HENLEY
Aged 19
|
Geoffrey Henley was born in Rougham (Thingoe Q1-1896 4A:773), baptised in Rougham St Mary's on 1st March 1896, son of Harry and Hagar HENLEY (née SMITH).
1901 census...Aged 5 he was at "Garden House", Saxham Hall, Great Saxham with his father Harry HENLEY [37] domestic gardener, born Balcombe, Sussex; his mother Hagar [38] born Fornham, Suffolk, sisters Elsie [14], Ada L.[12] and Ethel [11] and brother Edward [9]. All the children were born in Rougham. 1911 census...Aged 16, a scholar still, he was still at Garden House, Great Saxham with his parents. His parents address given to the CWGC (and penson card) was "The Gardens, Cheveley Park" but it is not known when they moved there. The date of his death on the war memorial (8th Sept) differs from the CWGC records (7th Sept). |
|
He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds. His Army records not having been found and his death from wounds means we cannot say where or exactly when he was wounded. The 5th Suffolk were on Hill 60 at that time. The cemetery although named the 7th Field Ambulance has over half of the graves concentrated from many other small cemeteries. The Newmarket Journal of 2nd October 1915 had:- DEATHS - HENLEY - Sept. 7, in Gallipoli, killed in action, Geoffrey Henley(5th Suffolk), youngest son of Mr and Mrs H.Henley, Cheveley Park Gardens, Newmarket, aged 19 years. and on 20th November:- MEMORIAL SERVICE TO PRIVATE G.HENLEY:- On Sunday afternoon a very impressive service was held in the parish church Great Saxham in memory of Private Geoffrey Henley 1/5th Suffolks who was killed in action on September 7th at Gallipoli.Private Henley was a son of Mr. H.Henley, who was for many years head gardener at Saxham Hall, and is now at Cheveley Park. Before his enlistment he had been organist at Great Saxham church over six years, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. He was only 19 years of age at his death. The Rector (the Rev.C.W.C.Floyd) read appropriate portions of the Burial Service, and then proceeded with a shortened form of evensong......"
photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission also commemorated in Great Saxham click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
