Walter George Hensman
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Walter George Hensman was born on 22nd September 1876 in Uppingham, Rutland, and was the son of John Thomas, a tailor, and Mary Hensman née Woodcock. His father John Thomas was born in 1849 in Pinchbeck, Lincs, and his mother Mary Woodcock was born in 1849 in Uppingham, Rutland. They were married in 1873 in Uppingham and went on to have five children two of whom sadly died in infancy or childhood. Their surviving children were: Walter George b1876, Eva Mary b1879 and Ethel Mary b1882; all the children were born in Uppingham. In the 1901 census Walter George has left home and moved to Nottingham. He is living at 110 Sneinton Boulevard, is single, 24 yrs of age and a butcher and is living alone at the address. He married Ellen Barker (b1877 Nottm) at Campbell Street Chapel, Nottingham, in 1901. They went on to have two children, Olive Muriel born 18th January 1902 and John Stuart born 28th August 1903. In the 1911 census he is living at 67 Morley Ave, Nottingham; he is shown as being 35 yrs of age head of the family and a butcher and living with his wife Nellie 34 yrs and their two children Olive 9 yrs and Jack 7 yrs. Following his death his widow Ellen received a letter from the Ministry of Pensions dated 11th October 1917 informing her she would be receiving a pension of 22 shillings and 11 pence a week in respect of her and her two children with effect from 22nd October 1917.
Private Walter George Hensman attested on 16th November 1915 in Nottingham. He gave his age as 39 yrs and 2 months, his address as 67 Morley Ave, Mapperley, Nottingham. His next of kin was his wife Ellen of the same address. His occupation was that of a butcher. The following day, 17 November, he was placed into the reserves. He was mobilised on 4th October 1916 and posted to the Western Front in reinforcement of 1/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment. On 13th January 1917 he embarked at Folkstone and arrived the same day in Bolougne. He was killed in action on 13th March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 29th, 30th and 31st March 1917 :- “HENSMAN. – Died on active service, on the 12th inst. [sic], Walter G. Hensman, for a number of years a faithful employee of A. and P. Lake, Wheeler-gate.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 13 March 1918: ‘Hensman. In loving remembrance of Pte. Walter Hensman, fell in action March 13th, 1917. Sadly missed. Wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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