Name
Henry James Stracey
1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/11/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
7078
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter's Church Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Henry James Stracey was born in Wilstone, nr Tring, in 1883, the son of Joseph and Sarah Stracey and was baptised on 3 March 1892 in Berkhamsted. He was one of four children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Castle Street, Berkhamsted, next to the Castle Hotel, where his father was working as a general labourer.
His father died in 1902 and by the time of the 1911 Census Henry and his brother George were boarders at the home of Alfred and Maryann Davis at 40 Shrublands Avenue, Berkhamsted and Henry was a carman to a contractor.
At the time of enlistment he was living at Stoke Newington, Middlesex
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. His service number of 7078 suggests that he may have already served as a regular soldier from early 1902 and was called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war.
He served in France from 30 August 1914 and was killed in action on 7 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His brother William received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £24 18s 5d was divided equally between his brothers William and George and sister Ada.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
