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