Name
Harry James Hallock (*1)
2 March 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/10/1917
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/22433
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JEANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. A. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
Peace perfect peace
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Harry was born on 2 March 1886 in Hingham, Norfolk, and baptised on 24 August 1888 in Hingham. His parents were Edward James and Minnie Kate Hallock).
In 1891 the family were living at Hardingham Road, Hingham, Norfolk. Present were both parents Edward (37) and Minnie (26), with James working as a cabinet maker. Harry James at 5 was their only child.
In 1901 they were still living at Hardingham Road, Hingham, Norfolk. Present were both parents and their only child Harry was now 15 and working as a grocer’s apprentice.
By 1911 Harry had left home and his parents were living at Cook Street Hingham, with Edward still working as a carpenter. The census recorded they had been married for 25 years with 1 child.
Harry has yet to be found in the 1911 census, but he married Laura Dungay (b 13 July 1886) on Thursday 15 September 1914. They honeymooned in Yarmouth before settling in Hitchin Hertfordshire. He was employed by W.B. Moss & Sons in the High Street, Hitchin.
Officially Harry was recorded as born in Hingham, Norfolk and was living there when he enlisted in Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
Harry was given Regimental Number G/22433 and posted to the 6th Battalion of the Regiment which was part of the 37th Brigade in the 12th Division. The reference by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that he was in the 8th Battalion is probably an error. He went to France in June 1917 and developed trench fever. He was later killed in action in France. He had only been in the trenches for a week when, during the morning, he was walking along a road in the course of his duties and a stray shell struck him.
Rev. A Gray, the Buffs Chaplain wrote: “Private H J Hallock was killed by a shell this morning. This afternoon I intend taking his body and burying in a little English cemetery behind the lines". . . . “It seems that your son was walking in a road in the course of his duty, when this stary shell caught him, A fellow soldier who was with him, in a miraculous way, escaped injury. I do so much hope that God will give you strength to bear this heavy blow.”
This is Plot 2, Row A, Grave 20 of the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension which is ten miles north west of St. Quentin in France. A private inscription on the stone reads "Peace perfect peace".
He was buried "in a little English cemetery behind the lines". This is Plot 2, Row A, Grave 20 of the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension which is ten miles north west of St. Quentin in France.
Additional Information
After his death £3 4s 4d was authorised to go to his widow, Laura, 27 April 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to him/her, on 7 November 1919.
His pension cards record Laura, his widow, as his dependant, first recorded as living at 8 Fishpond Road, Hitchin and later Hardingham Road, Highham, nr Atterborough, Norfolk. She was awarded £5 on 7 December 1917 and then a pension of 13s 9d a week from 13 May 1919, but this was amended to 26s per week.
*1 Some records give Hullock.
Acknowledgments
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild, Adrian Dunne, David C Baines
