Able Seaman H. W. Henstock

Cross remains within the family, Private address, Leicester.

Details on cross (Text content of cross):

In Loving memory of dear Walter

Original Cross from France

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Hand Painted

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)

Shaft Height: 1016mm

Cross beam width: 400.05mm

Width of wood: 22mm

Other information

Mounting to wall: Not currently mounted

Detailing: Has a RBL cross attached and 1 poppy.

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Originally painted it looks as though it was painted on its return and the inscription added.

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Paint peeling.

Notes and observations:

Able Seaman H. W. Henstock, it appears he was in ‘Howe’ Battalion of the Royal Naval Division and is buried near Arras at Queens Cemetery Bucquoy.

He died on the 17th February 1917, This would be in line with his Divisions position fighting in the northern area of the Somme/Ancre in 1917 at the Battle of Miraumont. There’s a quick summary of this on Wikipedia

 

Editor’s note: Bill keeps the cross in his office, he’s 92, an active man, he brought it home so they could photograph it for the project. He’s a veteran of the Second World War himself and was wounded in the legs and still suffers as a result. Tricia has become a stalwart supporter and supplier of information and is currently chasing innumerable markers across Leicestershire and Yorkshire for us. We are as ever grateful for all the effort people put in, without whom… – Nick


Survey courtesy of: Tricia and Bill Shooter

Date of survey:  1/8/2017