Name
Harry George Wells
1879
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/09/1917
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
295082
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
2nd/4th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 52.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Berkhamsted memorials
Pre War
Harry George Wells was born in 1879, in Berkhamsted, Herts, the son and eldest child of George and Elizabeth Wells and one of four children. He was baptised on 25 June 1886 at St Paul's Church, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
On the 1881 Census the family were living at Northchurch, Nr Berkhamsted, where his father was working as a gardener (domestic service). His mother died in 1890 and in 1891 Harry was living at Chaplin Road, Harrow, Middlesex with his widowed father and siblings Arthur, Frank and Olive. They had moved to 57 Mayo Road, Willesden by 1901 and Harry was working as a butcher.
He married Rose Smith on 29 February 1905 at St Mary, Willesden, Neasden Lane, London and by the time of the 1911 Census they were living at 15 Cantlowes Road, Camden Square, London. They had two children, Charles (b. 20 Dec 1905) and Leonard (b. 20 Dec 1907) and later lived at 142 Leighton Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London and joined the London Regiment, initially serving with the 22nd Battalion (reg. no. 6447), then being transferred to the 2nd/4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers).
Harry was declared missing presumed dead and killed in action on 21 September 1917, aged 38. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £2 11s 8d. She also received a pension of £1 5s 5d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
