Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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13031097   Private David Henry
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 21/09/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Pioneer Corps (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 20/06/1900
Died: 09/05/1945 (Died of Illness)
Age: 44
Summary      
David Henry was the son of John and Ellen Henry. He was born in the Ballyclare area. The family moved to the Tobermore area after 1901. David went on to the husband of Lizzie Jane Henry. Private David Henry was serving with the Pioneer Corps when he died of illness on 9th May 1945. Private David Henry was buried at home in Kilcronaghan Church of Ireland Churchyard.
Further Information
David Henry was the son of John and Ellen Henry. John Henry and Ellen Barkley were married on 9th February 1892 in the Newtownabbey area.
David Henry was born on 20th June 1900 in the Ballyclare – Doagh area. He was one of five children.
The 1901 census lists David as a baby, living with the family at house 47 in Ballygallough, Ballyclare, County Antrim. John Henry was a labourer.
Family: John Henry, Ellen Henry, William Henry (born 28th September 1893, Doagh), Catherine Henry (born 29th September 1895, Doagh), R James Henry (born 7th August 1897, Doagh), David Henry (born 20th June 1900, Doagh), Samuel Henry (born 20th November 1904, Maghera).
The 1911 census lists David as age 10, living with the family at house 3 in Ballynure, Carnamoney, County Londonderry. John Henry was a farm labourer. David’s mother was not living with the family.
David was the husband of Lizzie Jane Henry.
He was a staunch democrat and a friend of the labouring man and of the unemployed, whose cause he often pleaded before the Labour Boards. He was respected by everyone who knew him for his honesty and integrity.
Although well over the age for active service, David Henry had joined the Pioneers early in the war and after training, he served for a long period in Iceland.
At D-Day he proceeded to France. Whilst there he was buried in a trench from the explosion of a shell. As a result he contracted serious stomach trouble and had to undergo several major operations in England. So serious was his condition that his wife was sent for.
Private Henry recovered a little and was discharged, but his condition deteriorated afterwards.
Private David Henry was serving with the Pioneer Corps when he died of illness on 9th May 1945.
The funeral to Tobermore Parish Church Cemetery took place on Friday 12th May. A guard of honour was provided by B Company of the Home Guard and servicemen on furlough, and Captain Wilkinson, Bombardier J Richardson, Royal Artillery, Privates W Richardson, Royal Artillery, John McGonigle, H Brownlow and H Hasson, U.H.G, acted as pallbearers. The guard of honour was commanded by R.S.M. McMillan.
The service in the home and at the graveside were conducted by Pastor R A Boggs, who spoke of the deceased’s high character. ‘That day’, he said, ‘they were laying to rest one who had been a soldier, and a brave soldier – one who was loyal to his King and country, and had staked his life in their defence. They were also laying to rest one was a good soldier of the King of Kings.”
As Pastor Boggs concluded the service, the guard of honour came to attention, and three volleys were fired as a last salute.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19th May 1945: Death of Gallant Tobermore Soldier
Gloom was cast over the concluding festivities of VE-Day by the death on Wednesday week of Mr David Henry. Although well over the age for active service, Mr Henry had joined the Pioneers early in the war and after training, he served for a long period in Iceland. At D-Day he proceeded to France. When there he was buried in a trench from the explosion of a shell. As a result he contracted serious stomach trouble and had to undergo several major operations in England. So serious was his condition that his wife was sent for. Afterwards he recovered a little and was discharged, but soon got worse. He was a staunch democrat and a friend of the labouring man and of the unemployed, whose cause he often pleaded before the Labour Boards. He was respected by everyone who knew him for his honesty and integrity. The funeral to Tobermore Parish Church Cemetery on Friday evening was represented by all sections of the community. A guard of honour was provided by B Company of the Home Guard and servicemen on furlough, and Captain Wilkinson, Bombardier J Richardson, Royal Artillery, Privates W Richardson, Royal Artillery, John McGonigle, H Brownlow and H Hasson, U.H.G, acted as pallbearers. The guard of honour was commanded by R.S.M. McMillan. The service in the home and at the graveside were conducted by Pastor R A Boggs, who spoke of the deceased’s high character. ‘That day’, he said, ‘they were laying to rest one who had been a soldier, and a brave soldier – one who was loyal to his King and country, and had staked his life in their defence. They were also laying to rest one was a good soldier of the King of Kings.” As Pastor Boggs concluded the service, the guard of honour came to attention, and three volleys were fired as a last salute. The deepest sympathy of everyone goes out to Mrs Henry in her deep loss.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19th May 1945: The British Legion
Mr J Burnside, J.P., presided and opened the meeting with the customary tribute to fallen comrades. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many members present, and thanked them for their kind sympathy during the illness of Mrs Burnside. The members deeply regretted to learn of the death of Comrade David Henry of Tobermore, only recently discharged from the army, and also of the bereavement of Comrade M Henry, of Bellaghy, by the death of his father.
Private David Henry was buried at home in Kilcronaghan Church of Ireland Churchyard. His inscription reads: I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. 2 TIMOTHY IV. 7
Private Henry is commemorated locally on the memorial in Tobermore Baptist Church and on Tobermore War Memorial.
The CWGC record Private David Henry as the husband of Lizzie Jane Henry of Tobermore.
Lizzie Jane Henry passed away in 1993 at the age of 90 and now rests with him. Unusually, her name is inscribed on the CWGC headstone.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Ballynure,Tobermore Tobermore Census listing in Ballynure 54.825901 -6.772651
2 Kilcronaghan COI Tobermore Buried in Kilcronaghan COI, Tobermore 54.809428 -6.717810
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 census lists Henry family Possibly lists David as a baby, living with the family at house 47 in Ballygallough, Ballyclare, Antrim
2 1911 census lists Henry family Possibly lists David as age 10, living with the family at house 3 in Ballynure, Carnamoney, Londonderry
3 Facebook - Tobermore Photo of Private David Henry's grave
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private David Henry's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023