Henry Sladen
He was employed by Boots the Chemist as a toilet roll maker. (C. 1911)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Henry Sladen was the son of Alfred Edward Sladen and Mary Jane Guy who married at Nottingham in 1883. Their two children were: Alfred George (b.1884) and Henry (b.1889).
In 1891 the Sladen family were living at 2 Blackbourne’s Buildings in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire where Alfred Edward was employed as a steam engine fitter. In 1901 Mary Jane Sladen and her two sons were living at 23 Livingstone Terrace, Meadows. She stated she was married but Alfred Edward was not listed in as living there or anywhere else in the 1901 census. Mary Jane was working as a charwoman.
The 1911 census showed her living by herself at 2 Cromwell Street, Carlton. She continued to describe herself as a charwoman but now stated that she was a widow. It is not clear what happened to her husband. Mary Jane Sladen died in the Basford registration district, aged 55, in 1918.
In 1911 Henry Sladen was living with his paternal grandparents, Alfred and Helen Sladen, at 53 Pierrepont Road, West Bridgford. His older brother, Alfred George, was now married with two children and living in Colwick.
Henry married Annie Browitt, the daughter of Henry Browitt (d. 1941) and his wife Ellen (d. 1917), in 1913 (reg. AMJ Nottingham). They do not appear to have had any children. The notice of Corporal Sladen's death placed in the local newspaper gave his widow’s address as 16 Player Street, Radford [Nottingham Evening Post, 28.11.1918].
He enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 2/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.
Henry was reported missing in action on 21 March 1918 during the German attack at Noreuil, France; his death was not confirmed until November that year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France (Bay 7).
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave, headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Ellen, the dearly beloved wife of Henry Browitt, who passed away Sept. 19th 1917. Peace after pain. Also of Henry Sladen the beloved husband of Annie Sladen, son-in-law of the above, killed in action March 21st 1918 aged 19 years. A great sacrifice. Also Henry the beloved husband of the above who died April 5th 1941 aged (-). Re-united. Also Eliza Ann beloved wife of Henry Sladen (-).’
Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', November 1915, ‘Letters from the Front’: photograph of Pte H Sladen winning 100 yards race at Military Sports, Watford.’ This is likely to be a report about Henry Sladen. (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38)
Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', March 1916, 'By the Way': 'Promotions bulk largely in the chronicle of current events ... is now a lance corporal as also are ... H Sladen of the Sherwood Foresters.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38).
Nottingham Evening Post ,'Roll of Honour', 28 November 1918: 'Sladen. Reported missing March 21st, now reported killed on that date, Cpl. Harry Sladen, the beloved husband of Annie Sladen, 16, Player-street. He died that we might live. Sorrowing wife, mother, also father-in-law, Mr. Brewitt, and Lizzie.'
Above courtesy Jim Grundy facebok pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Photo of Henry Sladen
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial (www.cwgc.org)