Thundercliffe, Henry Francis

Henry Francis Thundercliffe, 5th WYR, killed on 09/10/1917, aged 23.

BORN HULL 1894. SON OF HARRY ANTHONY THUNDERCLIFFE (1872-1951) & ANNIE ELIZABETH STEPHENSON (1871-1951), OF 31 FLEET STREET, HULL, & 57, NICHOLSON STREET, HULL (CWGC ADDRESS). ONE OF SIX CHILDREN (TWO BROTHERS AND THREE SISTERS). AN UNMARRIED LABOURER.

HE ENLISTED IN HULL, ON 16/11/1914. FORMERLY, A PRIVATE IN THE EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT 6 INCHES TALL, 144 LBS, 35 INCH CHEST. POSTED TO FRANCE ON 04/05/1916. TRANSFERRED TO 1/5TH WYR ON 18/06/1916.

TRIED FOR SELF INFLICTED WOUND TO HIS RIGHT FINGER ON 15/06/1917. FOUND GUILTY BY FIELD COURT MARTIAL AND SENTENCED TO 28 DAYS FIELD PUNISHMENT NO:1.

HE WAS RETURNED TO THE FRONT AND TOOK PART IN THE “PETER PAN/WOLFE COPSE ASSAULT“, AT THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE. HE WAS REPORTED WOUNDED, MISSING AND PRESUMED DEAD ON 09/10/1917, AGED 23. A REPORT BY CORPORAL MITCHELL, FROM “D” COMPANY, REPORTED THAT HE WAS CARRIED  BACK WOUNDED TO A FIRST AID POST AND WAS “QUITE CHEERY”, BUT THEY HAD TO LEAVE HIM IN A SHELL HOLE, 80 YARDS FROM THE DRESSING STATION,  DUE THE HEAVY MUD AND FIRE. HE WAS NEVER SEE AGAIN.

HE IS COMMEMORATED ON THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL, BELGIUM. ALSO REMEMBERED AT ST MARYS CHURCH, SCULCOATES LANE, HULL.
HIS BROTHER, PRIVATE, ANTHONY THUNDERCLIFFE, 11346, COLDSTREAM GUARDS WAS REPORTED WOUNDED (HDM 30/07/1918), BUT SURVIVED THE WAR.


First name:
HENRY FRANCIS
Military Number:
203120
Rank:
Private
Date Died
09/10/1917
Place died:
TYNE COT MEMORIAL, BELGIUM
Age:
23
57, NICHOLSON STREET, HULL, EAST YORKSHIRE, UK