Sjt
Henry John Thrift
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1885 |
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Place of birth: Ruislip, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Serjeant |
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Service number: G/3274 |
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Enlistment date: 03/09/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 12th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 17/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Poelkapelle Church, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 113 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal — 13/02/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 13/02/1920 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Serjeant Henry John Thrift served in the Middlesex Regiment 12th Battalion, part of the 54th Brigade, of the 18th (Eastern) Division. The 18th Division participated in the First Battle of Passchendaele (12 October), part of the Third Battle of Ypres.
On the 12th of October 1917 the Division attacked from the Eastern outskirts of the village of Poelkapelle with the 55th and 53rd Brigade. The objective was to capture the entire village of Poelkapelle and the German strongholds at Meunier- and Cameron House. However as soon as the men of the 18th (Eastern) Division passed through Poelkapelle they were enfiladed by machinegun fire from Meunier House and the Brewery. Consequently the attack was checked and a new front line was formed only 100 yards in front of the jumping off line.
On the 16th of October 1917 the 54th Infantry Brigade relieved the 53rd Brigade in the Front Line, with the 11th Royal Fusiliers on the right and the 12th Middlesex on the left. On the 17th the line was withdrawn back to Poelkapelle, running through Poelkapelle Church. This to allow the artillery to shell the Eastern outskirts of the village. During the day the line was frequently shelled by the German artillery. Especially “B” Company on the left was subjected to very heavy shelling, which continued throughout the following day.
Serjeant Henry John Thrift was killed in action on the 17th of October 1917, while the 12th Middlesex Regiment was holding the line near Poelkapelle Church. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial Wall.
On the 12th of October 1917 the Division attacked from the Eastern outskirts of the village of Poelkapelle with the 55th and 53rd Brigade. The objective was to capture the entire village of Poelkapelle and the German strongholds at Meunier- and Cameron House. However as soon as the men of the 18th (Eastern) Division passed through Poelkapelle they were enfiladed by machinegun fire from Meunier House and the Brewery. Consequently the attack was checked and a new front line was formed only 100 yards in front of the jumping off line.
On the 16th of October 1917 the 54th Infantry Brigade relieved the 53rd Brigade in the Front Line, with the 11th Royal Fusiliers on the right and the 12th Middlesex on the left. On the 17th the line was withdrawn back to Poelkapelle, running through Poelkapelle Church. This to allow the artillery to shell the Eastern outskirts of the village. During the day the line was frequently shelled by the German artillery. Especially “B” Company on the left was subjected to very heavy shelling, which continued throughout the following day.
Serjeant Henry John Thrift was killed in action on the 17th of October 1917, while the 12th Middlesex Regiment was holding the line near Poelkapelle Church. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial Wall.
Sources 3
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12 Battalion Middlesex Regiment , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2044/1). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 116-117. Sources used |
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Wyrall E., The Die-Hards in the Great War, (London, Harrison & Sons, 1926), pg. 142-143. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/827738 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=6a1a8210-c23f-4d07-825c-145a8b8806dc |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/4440991 |