Sjt
Henry John Thrift

Informations sur naissance

Année de naissance:
1885
Lieu de naissance:
Ruislip, Middlesex, Angleterre, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
Ouvrier

Informations service militaire

Pays:
Angleterre, Royaume-Uni
Force armée:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Serjeant
Numéro de service:
G/3274
Incorporation date:
03/09/1914
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Uxbridge, Middlesex, Angleterre, Royaume-Uni
Unités:
 —  The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 12th Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
17/10/1917
Lieu de décès:
Poelkapelle Church, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
32

Mémorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panneau: 113

Distinctions et médailles 3

1914-15 Star
Médaille
British War Medal
Médaille — 13/02/1920
Victory Medal
Médaille — 13/02/1920

Points d'intérêt 2

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Lieu d'enrôlement

Mon histoire

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 On the 17th the line was withdrawn back to Poelkapelle, running through Poelkapelle Church.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.

Fichiers 1

Sources 3

12 Battalion Middlesex Regiment , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2044/1).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Autre référence
McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 116-117.
Sources utilisées
Wyrall E., The Die-Hards in the Great War, (London, Harrison & Sons, 1926), pg. 142-143.
Sources utilisées

Complément d’informations 3