Name
Henry George Murkett
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
24092
Army Service Corps
Motor Transport
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Henry Murkett was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Abbots Langley in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919. He was initially identified from the Absent Voter Records and was not recorded elsewhere in the Abbots Langley Parish records. In the Absent Voter Records Henry was listed serving with the 479th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery in Autumn 1918, and with the Army Service Corps in Spring 1919. His address was given at “The Bell”, Primrose Hill, Abbots Langley.
Henry Murkett was born in the winter of 1891 at Kings Langley. He was one of eight children born to Henry (senior) and Ann Murkett. In the 1891 Census the family lived at “The Bell” Inn, Primrose Hill, Abbots Langley, where Henry (senior) was employed as a Licenced Victualler. The family continued to live at “The Bell” and was recorded there in the 1901 Census. When Henry (junior) attested on 19th October 1914, he gave his address at “The Bell”, and his occupation as a Chauffeur. He attested and undertook a Medical at Dorking, and joined the Surrey Yeomanry (11th Battalion of the Royal West Surrey Regiment).
His Service Record noted that he was admitted to hospital on 23rd November 1915 suffering from Gonorrhoea, and remained there until 12th January 1916. On 4th December 1916 Henry was transferred to the 6th Battalion of the Royal West Surrey Regiment (RWSR), and the next day was posted to the 10th Battalion RWSR and was sent to France.
On 7th June 1917 Henry was wounded in action and was admitted to 41 Dressing Station in the Field having sustained a gun- shot wound to the leg. He was transferred to No 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station in the Field on 9th June and the next day moved to No 47 General Hospital at Le Treport. Henry’s Service Record noted that he was posted to No 31 Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, on the north-west coast of France on 24th June 1917, to await re-joining his unit. He was returned to his unit on 4th July 1917, and was wounded for a second time on 30th July 1917, this time receiving a gun-shot wounds to his face and right leg. Henry was sent back to England on 14th August 1917, and arrived at Bath War Hospital on 15th August, where he remained until 20th September.
On 29th September 1917 Henry was transferred to the 3rd Battalion RWSR to await posting, and on 8th October was posted to the Army Service Corps (ASC). He returned to France on 20th December 1917, and arrived on 22nd December. He remained with the ASC for the remainder of the War and served as a Lorry Driver with the Motor Transport section, and on 19th March 1918 was appointed Acting Corporal. Henry returned to England on 23rd March 1919, and on 10th April was promoted to Corporal. The Absent Voter Record for Autumn 1918 noted that Henry served with the 479th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, and he may briefly have been linked to this unit if they used the Motor Transport section of the ASC to move their heavy guns. Henry was demobilised on 21st April 1919 to “The Bell” Hotel, where he remained until his death in 1955.
Henry Murkett survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 3rd, 6th, 10th & 11th Battalion The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment & 479th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
