Prescot Roll of Honour

Picture courtesy of John Henry's great-grandson, also John Henry

Service Details

John Henry initially served as a Shoeing Smith with the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Hussars as Private 977. His low service number indicates pre-war service, perhaps with the Territorial Force. He first arrived in France on 9th November 1915. It is not clear at which point he transferred to the Warwickshire Yeomanry, although it would seem to be after the Warwick's had been withdrawn from Gallipoli to take part in the Palestine campaign.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the Warwickshire Yeomanry took part in many actions in the Palestine campaign with the Division, part of the Desert Mounted Corps.

In April 1918, they left the Brigade as dismounted troops, and formed (with the South Notts Hussars) "B" Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps. They suffered loss of 93 men when their ship HMT 'Leasowe Castle' , taking the unit from Egypt to Italy was torpedoed by submarine UB51 on 27 May 1918. She was travelling in a convoy 104 miles north-west of Alexandria and sank within 90 minutes. Over 2,800 men managed to survive the sinking. One survivor told the tale of the sinking as follows,

'The "Leasowe Castle" was one of a convoy of six transporters and they were accompanied by a number of destroyers. The weather was good, the sea was calm and a brilliant moon shone in the night sky.

At 1.30 am on May 27th 1918 when the ship was about 104 miles from Alexandria, the "Leasowe Castle" was struck by a torpedo on the starboard side. The engines were immediately stopped. The troops mustered to their stations, rolls were called, boats lowered and rafts flung overboard. The Japanese destroyer "R" stood by, while the remainder of the convoy continued on their journey at full speed. We are informed that perfect order was maintained on board, the men standing quietly at their stations as if on parade, while those detailed for the work assisted in lowering the boats. Lifeboats were launched in the course of forty five minutes and the rescue attempt continued smoothly. The "Leasowe Castle" remained fairly steady, though sinking a little at the stern, with a slight list to port. All of 'B' (Warwickshire Yeomanry) Company of the Battalion went over the port side and were picked up in the water. About 1.45am. HM sloop "Lily" appeared having turned back from the convoy to assist in the work of rescue. She ran her bows up to the starboard side of the "Leasowe Castle" and made fast, so that troops were able to pass quickly on board. Meanwhile the Japanese destroyer put up a smoke screen for protection. Suddenly about 3.00 am. a bulkhead in the aft part of the ship gave way, and with a loud noise the "Leasowe Castle" sank rapidly. The "Lily" had a narrow escape, as the hawsers connecting her with the sinking ship were cut with an axe just in time.

Most of the remaining men on board were carried down with the ship and not a single body was picked up.'

The remainder of the battalion eventually landed in Italy on 21 June 1918 and moved to France where Battalion became 100th Bn, Machine Gun Corps.

The Parish Magazine of 24th September 1918 reported 'Trooper John Henry, 36, of 11 Bretherton Road is now to be numbered amongst those who were lost in the sinking of the transport 'Leasowe Castle' on 27th May. He has left a widow and 5 children.

Private Henry's Medal Index Card, shown below, records his service with the Lancashire Hussars as well as the Warwickshire Yeomanry. It shows his medal entitlement to the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

The Register of Soldiers Effects lists John's widow, Esther, as next of kin

The 1939 National Register showed John's widow, Esther, and daugfhter Winifred, still living at 11, Bretherton Road