Henry Perryman
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Henry Perryman was born on 4th August 1885 at Filey and was the son of William John a plumber and painter and Agnes Perryman née Gibson of West End Muston Filey. His father William John had been born in 1844 in Ireland and his mother Agnes Gibson had been born in Filey in 1850. They were married in 1868 the marriage being recorded in the York Registration district, they went on to have 20 children, sadly 8 of whom were to died in infancy or childhood. His mother died in 1907 in Filey, she was aged 60 yrs. In the 1911 census his father William John is shown as living at 7 The Crescent, Filey, he is 65 yrs of age and a widower, he is living with two of his children Alice 30 yrs and Jeremiah also 30yrs, both born in Filey. In the same 1911 census Henry has left his home address and is lodging at 1 Guildhall Cottage, Nottingham. He was shown as being 27 yrs, single and a police fireman; he is lodging at the address with Frank Pitchfork 37 yrs and his family. Frank is also a police fireman. He married his wife Mary Ellen Pattison in 1911, the marriage was recorded in the Easingwold Registration district, Yorkshire; they went on to have 2 children, Sydney born 31st January 1912 and Barbara born 11th March 1913, both being born in Nottingham. Following his death his widow Mary was living at 86 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham. His widow received a letter from the War Ofice dated 26th April 1916 informing her that she would be receiving a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week for herself and her two children with effect from 25th April 1916.
Rifleman Henry Perryman had originally enlisted in Filey, East Yorkshire, on 24th June 1908; he served with the East Yorkshire Territorial Cyclist battalion, he was 22 yrs and 8 months and was a painter by trade, he was living at 7 The Crescent at Filey. At the outbreak of the war he was a fireman with the Nottingham City Fire Brigade. He enlisted on 26th August 1914, he was 30 yrs of age. He served with the 7th battalion Sherwood Foresters , and landed in France on 28th February 1915. He was wounded in action on 5th October 1915 and died from multiple gun shot wounds at the 36th Field Ambulance and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery (grave ref I.K.20).
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 21 October 1915: 'Perryman. Private Henry Perryman, died of wounds October 5th, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, 15 Shakespeare Street. Late City Fire Brigade, age 31. Wife and children.' On 25th March 1915 a letter from Rfn. Henry Perryman, 1/7th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Robin Hood Rifles), appeared in the local press describing the unit's first experiences in the trenches. Perryman did not live to see the year out, dying of wounds on 5th October 1915. An article published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 25th March 1915 :- “ROBIN HOODS UNDER FIRE. “WILL MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES. “The following letter, addressed to the Post by Private H. Perryman (a member of the Nottingham Fire Brigade), will be read with much interest, as it relates how the Robin Hoods fared when under fire in the trenches for the first time. Private Perryman writes: “Just a few lines to let the Nottingham people know how the Robin Hoods fared in their first experience of being in the trenches under fire. We left Bocking, Essex, on February 25th, and arrived France on the 28th. At some places we were only 80 yards from the German lines. It was quite exciting, the English, French, and German guns going all day and night long. It reminds one of a fireworks display, especially when the rockets go up every now and then to find out the different positions at night time; only you have to be very careful. I have heard it said the Germans can’t shoot, but you must not expose yourself in the daytime. We only lost one poor fellow by accident (1) and two wounded by the enemy so didn't do amiss. We are enjoying ourselves as well as we can, and our officers do everything in their power to make us as comfortable as possible. We don’t stay long in one place, always on I the move, not much time for letter writing. You can take it from a good source that the Robin Hoods will make a name for themselves before they come back to England.” [1] Rfn. Clarence Sheppard was accidentally shot whilst on sentry duty on 6th March. He is buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium. Further article published 22nd October 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- NOTTINGHAM CONSTABLE KILLED IN ACTION. “Mrs. Perryman, of 15, Shakespeare-street, Nottingham, has received intimation from the War Office of the death in action of her husband, Lance-Corporal H. Perryman, of the Pioneer Section of the 1/7th Robin Hoods, who at the outbreak of war was a member of the City Fire Brigade. The late Lance-Corporal Perryman, who was a native of Filey, came to Nottingham some eight years ago to join the brigade, and during his service he has prved himself a smart fireman. Of a singularly happy disposition, he was extremely popular alike with his officers and colleagues, and when he came home for a few days' leave some three months ago entertained them with some characteristically humorous anecdotes. “The deceased, who was only 31 years of age, volunteered for active service. He leaves a widow and two children, and the news of his death has been received with great regret. The official communication intimated that he died in the field ambulance as he was being brought back wounded from the field the field of battle.” Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Personal dedication on CWGC headstone: 'Until the day break and the shadows flee away"
