Henry Bywater
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry Bywater was born in 1884 at Hucknall and was the son of Henry a coal miner hewer and Emma Bywater née Bailey of Nottingham. His father Henry was born in 1858 at Henlow, Bedfordshire, his mother Emma Bailey was born in 1857 at Somercoates, Derbyshire, she died in 1885 aged 28 yrs, they were married in 1878 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district, they went on to have the following children, Eliza b1878, Edward b1880, Mary Ann b1882 and Henry b1884. Henry married Mary Rebekah Jones (born 27th October 1892) in 1888 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district. Commencing 6th July 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 10 shillings a week.
Henry Bywater was a regular soldier and with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters. On the outbreak of war, the battalion was based in India. Preparations were made to return to England and on 4 September, the battalion sailed on the Thongwa which was not a speedy vessel and it was a month later when they reached Plymouth. They moved to a camp at Hursley Park and prepared for war. The battalion disembarked in Le Havre on 4th November 1914 and moved towards the front line. Elements of the battalion moved into the front line on 15th and two days later three men were killed and Henry was one of these men. He was buried in a cemetery just behind the front line, shoulder to shoulder with his Pal, W Rhodes. They are buried in Rue-Du-Bacquerot No1 Cemetery Laventie, grave I.D.8. John Morse
Article published 7th January 1915 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- “KILLED BY SHRAPNEL. “Hucknall Private who was Sheltering in a Barn. “Intimation has been received by Mrs. L. Mellor, of Belvoir-street, Hucknall, that her brother, Private Henry Bywater, of the 1st Battalion Notts. and Derbyshire Regiment, the Sherwood Foresters, has been killed at the front. The deceased was a reservist, who had served his time in India, and before the war he was living at Butler's Hill. It appears that he was in a barn together with another Hucknall man, Private G. A. Hutchinson, and was killed by shrapnel. His companion has also been wounded. Private Bywater is the seventh Hucknall man definitely known to have been killed.” Article published 9th January 1915 in the Beeston Gazette & Echo :- “It is now becoming almost a weekly task to publish the news of some Hucknall soldier who has given the great sacrifice, authentic news now being to hand that Private Henry Bywater has given his life for his country. He was born at Butler's hill, and for nine years had been out in India in the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He had finished his time when war broke out and he was called up from his work in the gold mines. “He was accordingly despatched with the troops to the seat of war and did not reach France till early November. On the 17th of that month, however, he was killed with shrapnel whilst taking shelter in a barn. Private G. A. Hutchinson, of Hucknall, who was with him at the time, being wounded. “Bywater was married in India to a lady of English parents, and has a sister named Mrs. L. Mellor, at 66, Belvoir street, Hucknall.” In memoriam published on 17th November 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BYWATER. – In loving memory of Pte. Harry Bywater, 1st Sherwoods, killed in action, Nov 17th, 1914. Deeply mourned by his mother and sister Florrie.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
