Name
Horace Compton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/04/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
203437
Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment
1st/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RICKMANSWORTH (CHORLEYWOOD ROAD) CEMETERY
EE.4.12
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial,
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth,
Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Horace was born in 1897 in Amersham the son of John Compton, a Shoemaker, and his second wife Sarah Reading (nee Aris) who he married in 1887.
John was 56 when Horace was born and already had 7 children from his first marriage to Emma Osborne(died 1876) and 3 with Sarah. She had an illegitimate son William born in 1876 and two from her marriage to James Reading (died 1886).
In 1881 both families were living in Chesham but in 1891 John and Sarah were in Wellingborough with 10 of their various children. 1901 saw John, Sarah and Horace age 4 in Amersham Union Workhouse, although the other children were elsewhere. In 1911 Horace was boarding with George Plume and family at 134 Morley Avenue, Wood Green, his occupation being given simply as “Assistant”. Horace left his money and effects to his half sister Elizabeth, married to Ernest Culverhouse who, in 1939, were living at 89 Uxbridge Road.
Recorded as enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Formerly No 4790 The Hertfordshire Regiment. 1st/4th Battalion landed in France in April 1915 as part of 2nd West Riding Brigade West Riding Division.
On the 15th of May 1915 they transferred to 147th Brigade 49th(West Riding) Division). The Battalion was involved in many actions over the next three Years, in 1918 at Ypres during the German Spring Offensive, and the Allies Final 100 Days Offensive. It is not known exactly when and where Horace sustained the wounds which led to his death. Throughout April 1918 1st/4th Battalion was in constant action in the Nieppe-Bailleul-Armentieres area and 49th Division took part in the Battle of the Lys including the Battle of Bailleul and Defence of Neuve Eglise between the 13th and 15th, and the First Battle of Kemmel between the 17th and the 19th.
It is probable that Horace was wounded during this period and returned to England for hospitalisation in Bury St Edmunds where he died on April the 20th.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Mike Collins
