Saturday 14 November 2009

Sergeant Henry Howard

Born on 6 March 1887 in Barrow-on-[?], Lancashire, England - son of Henry and Elizabeth Howard, Bloomfield, Belfast, Ireland - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as naval draughtsman, single, currently a member of No. 5 Field Ambulance, no previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 3.2 inches, chest of 34.5 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Montreal, Quebec, on 12 March 1915 (number 410989) - transferred to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 16 July 1915 - transferred to 7th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, CEF, on 18 May 1916 - died on 30 October 1917 of wounds received that day - name inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (panel 32), Belgium.

Awarded the Military Medal.

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)

4 comments:

Gavin Howard said...

Henry Howard was my Great Uncle. He left N Ireland to attend McGill University and joined up in Canada when the War started. We have his MM in silver frame and the diary he wrote up until the day he died.
Thank you for taking an interest in this brave young soldier.Gavin Howard

Ken said...

Hi Gavin,

Many thanks for your comment. I'm quite glad to hear his medal is still in the family. I, too, went to McGill and always feel a twinge when I write a post about any of my predecessors there. As an aside, I'd love to read his diary, if it's not too personal, and if you might be willing to share it.

Thanks again, Ken

Unknown said...

Sadly I cannot release the diary in its original format, but I think somewhere we have a typed copy which once found I may be able to get to you. Sgt Henry Howard came from an established ship building family and his Father was a senior councillor in Belfast, theer is a Howard Street in Belfast named after him. They were also involved in the design of the Titanic, Lusitania and Mauritinia. Sgt Howard's brother served as a Junior Ships officer was killed when the Lusintania was sunk by teh germans off thE Irish coast in WW1.

Ken said...

Hi Meriel,

Many thanks for your response. Sorry, I had no intention of asking for the original (I should have been clearer) diary, only to see a copy (if it existed) or get a digital scan of the diary, if that is ever a possibility in future. I greatly appreciate the additional material on Sgt Howard's family that you've also provided.

Thanks again, Ken