Harry Hutchinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry was the only son of Henry and Mary Alice Hutchinson (née Sims). His father was born in Nottingham in 1858, the son of George Hutchinson and his mother Mary Alice was also born in Nottingham in 1858. According to information provided on the 1901 Census, both were 'deaf and dumb.' Henry and Mary were married at Nottingham St Ann in August 1879 and had four children: Annie b. 1883, Sarah b. 1888, Florence b. 1891 and Henry b. 1894. In 1881, Henry, a mechanic/fitter, and Mary were living on Hollins Terrace, Radford, with her parents but by 1891 had moved to Auckland Street, Radford, where they were living with their two children, Annie and Sarah. Henry, Mary and their four children, Annie, Sarah, Florence and Henry, were living in White Swan Yard, Pelican Street, in 1901. Mary died in 1907 (burial 12 January). By the time of the 1911 Census Henry, a cycle fitter, and his son Harry, an errand boy (coal), were living on Chapel Street, Nottingham, with Henry's married daughter, Annie Sharpe (m. 1902), her husband John Henry and their four children. Henry's two other daughters were also married; Sarah in 1910 to George Frederick Aldridge, a platelayer (Great Central Railway), and who was living in Chesterfield and Florence who married Frederick Huggett, a lace dresser (bleach works), in 1911 (J/F/M) and was living in Nottingham. Henry was living at 4 Kenington Road, Old Radford, when he was sent his son's personal property in 1919 but the later CWGC record gave his address as 62 Moorgate Street, Radford. Henry died in 1927 (burial 3 March).
'D' Company, 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Harry enlisted in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists), 1st/4th Bn Sherwood Foresters, on a six year engagement on 31 December 1912. He was mobilized at the beginning of the war and landed in France as a reinforcement to 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 27 December 1914. He was promoted lance corporal (date illegible) but in May 1916 reverted to the rank of private at his own request. However, he was again promoted lance corporal in September 1916. He was wounded in action in July 1915, suffering a gunshot wound to his left arm, and was admitted to No. 9 General Hospital, Rouen, following treatment at a Field Ambulance. He was transferred to England by Hospital Ship on 28 July, later returning to the Battalion in France. Harry was admitted to No. 17 Field Ambulance on 14 May 1917 suffering from influenza and transferred to No. 13 General Hospital on 17 May. He spent a period of convalescence at a rest camp at Boulogne before rejoining his battalion on 18 June 1917. Harry died at No. 48 Casualty Clearing Station on 8 December 1917 from wounds received in action and was buried in Rocquingy-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt (grave ref. VII.A.5). His death occurred when the Battalion was engaged in the Cambrai Operations (Battle of Cambrai), 20 November 1917-30 December 1917. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Rocquigny Equancourt Road British Cemetery (extract): The two villages of Rocquigny and Equancourt are about 8km apart and lie between the towns of Perrone and Bapaume in the Department of the Somme. 'Etricourt was occupied by Commonwealth troops at the beginning of April 1917 during the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. It was lost on the 23 March 1918 when the Germans advanced, but regained at the beginning of September. The cemetery was begun in 1917 and used until March 1918, mainly by the 21st and 48th Casualty Clearing Stations posted at Ytres.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Mr. H. Hutchinson, of 62, Moorgate St., Radford, Nottingham.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Henry was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his father Henry, residence Radford. His personal possessions which comprised a disc, letters, purse and cap badge, were returned to his father at 4 Kenington Road, Old Radford in April 1918.
