Name
Henry James King
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/04/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal/Corporal
204005
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st/7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LONDON CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-VITASSE
Plot I, Row B, Grave 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford,
Watford Grammar School Memorial,
Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Marianne (nee BIRCH) KING of Watford, and the late William KING.
His parents married 1 June 1873 at Old St Pancras Church, London. William died 17 January 1913 in Watford aged 63, and was buried 21 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Marianne died 27 March 1929 in Watford aged 79, and was buried 30 March, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Harry was born 2 March 1892 in Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 13 May 1901 to 10 January 1905, then Watford Grammar School from January 1905 to April 1906. He was a surveyor who resided in Watford.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 9 he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, [recorded as James] an assistant surveyor with Bushey U.D.C. aged 19, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Willesden, Middx, and was formerly Private 9615 Middlesex Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action at Arras.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“KING, HARRY JAMES. School period: January, 1905, to April, 1906. Corporal, Middlesex Regiment. Killed in action at Arras, 9th April, 1917.”
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Henry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 28 April 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 13 April 1918 and 12 April 1919.
Henry is commemorated on his father’s headstone in Watford Cemetery, his part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF HENRY JAMES KING, FOURTH SON OF THE ABOVE [William King]. KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE APRIL. 9. 1917. AGED 25.
Unfortunately, Henry’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
