Name
Henry (Harryt Kimsey
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/06/1915
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
6293
1st (King's) Dragoon Guards
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 3.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Codicote Village Memorial,
Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote,
We are not aware of any memorial in Rabley Heath
Pre War
Henry (Harry) Kimsey was born in Rabley Heath, Codicote, Herts in 1886, the son of John and Sarah Ann Kimsey and one of five children. He also had four half siblings from his father's first marriage. (N.B. SDIGW and 1911 Census incorrectly gives his birthplace as Luton, Beds),
On the 1901 Census the family were living at New Street, Codicote where his father was working as an Agricultural Labourer.
Henry joined the army sometime before September 1906 and on the 1911 Census he was listed as a soldier serving in India with the Lucknow Cavalry Brigade, 1st Indian Cavalry Division.
His parents remained living in Codicote, in New Town. His parents later lived at 15 Council Houses, Codicote Welwyn, Herts.
Wartime Service
Harry was a serving soldier with the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards at the outbreak of war and served in France from 11 November 1914, having left Bombay (Mumbai), India, in October 1914. They served on the Western Front as part of the Lucknow Brigade, 1st Indian Cavalry Division.
He was initially declared as missing, presumed dead, and later confirmed as having been killed in action on 1 June 1915, aged 28. The Guards were situated near Hooge and were subjected to shelling throughout the day which was particularly heavy between 2 and 4pm.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
A war gratuity of £5 was granted to his mother Sarah. Other monies owing to him was split equally between his mother Sarah, brother Frederick, sisters Polly, Lucy & Charlotte and half-brother William.
Although a pension card exists, there is no indication of the amount of pension received, if any. N.B. Henry is sometimes listed as Harry and the surname Kimsey is sometimes listed as Kinsey.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, June Colegrove, Roll-of-Honour.com
