Also Served: Henry Pye - Henry PYE
43, Derby Street, Prescot Private 3085, 1/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
Henry Pye in a picture kindly provided by his great nephew, Rod Taylor
Born in Rainhill around 1887, Henry was a Fitters Labourer at the time of the 1911 census, when he lived with his family at Sutton Road, Rainhill. Henry was listed at the above Prescot address in the 1914 Electoral Roll (see image below).
He attested for military service in St Helens on 3rd November 1914 and was posted to the South Lancashire Regiment. His next of kin was his mother, Annie Platt. He stated that he had 3 years service with the 2nd Battalion of the regiment, and this will have been prior to the 1908 Territorial Service reforms.
Henry in an undated group picture with his comrades, probably before they went to France. Picture provided by Rod Taylor
He went to France with his unit in February 1915.
On 9th May 1915, close to Ypres, he was wounded, suffering a Gunshot Wound to the foot.
The Battalion War Diary for this date states, "A & B Coys under Major PILKINGTON sent up to support Monmouth Regt 1 Coy going straight into front trenches and one remaining in support.
Remainder of battalion under Lt Col PILKINGTON moved up to WIELTJE where it was thought the enemy might have broken through the line. The line was found to be intact.
C Coy under Capt DICKINSON being left with one Machine Gun in the defended posts around WIELTJE Hqrs, 1 Coy 2 Machine Guns returned to LA BRIQUE."
24 men of the Battalion were killed on 8th and 9th of May, with an unknown number wounded or missing.
Henry returned to the UK for treatment to his wounds, going back to France in November 1915.
In the Territorial Force renumbering of March 1917, Henry was numbered 240894. He was then wounded again, this time a wound to the Right Arm, on 1st August 1917. The Battalion was once again close to Ypres on this date, and the Diary reads,
"A barrage was put down on the enemy line as movement had been seen behind POND FARM but no enemy came through. Rain fell heavily throughout the night. Standing patrols were out about 50 yards from CAPRICORN SUPPORT. Our working parties were periodically swept by MG fire. An enemy sniper was active from direction of DONUT TRENCH but did little damage. Enemy fired at regular intervals with High Explosives on concrete dugouts in CAPRICORN TRENCH.
Salvos were regularly placed on road behind SPREE FARM. A constant barrage was placed about 100 yards behind CAP TRENCH. Warning had come through prisoners statements that a counter attack was expected "that afternoon". Our artillery put down a barrage and no counter-attack materialized. At dark, enemy bombarded our system chiefly CAP SUPT and ground in between. 2 wounded prisoners were found in dugout in CAP SUPT. When bombardment died down, patrols were sent out 300 yards from CAP SUPT on right. There was no trace of enemy. Our left patrol saw 2 or 3 large patrols moving between POND FARM and FORT HILL. Rain still fell heavily."
7 men were killed and 26 wounded, including Henry Pye.
Henry was discharged on 6th July 1918 due to the effect of his wounds. He was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge.
Sadly, Henry died in 1920, aged 33, and was buried at St Bartholomew's Church, RainhillRef. No.:
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