Sergeant 8746 Henry Ambrose SPARROW
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Date of Death:
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25 May 1915 (Killed in Action)
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Grave No:
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Sp. Memorial E. 19.
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Unit:
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'D' Company
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Age:
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27
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Personal History:
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Henry was born in St Paul's, Birkenhead, Cheshire, in the June quarter 1888, the eldest son of John Ambrose Sparrow (a Shipwright) and Sarah Ann Sparrow, of Birkenhead. He had two older sisters, Ellen Owens and Sarah Alice, a younger brother, Albert, and two younger sisters, Louise and Florence. (1901 Census RG 13/3391) In 1911 (Census RG 14/21984) the family were living at 102 Oliver Street Birkenhead, where Edward's listed occupation is 'King's Army'.
He married Mary, presumably whilst stationed in Ireland. After his death she remarried (becoming Mary Holt) of 8 Kensington Street, Belfast.
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Military History:
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Currently Henry's Service Records are not available and have undoubtedly been destroyed in Second World War bombing. However, from his service number it would appear he enlisted in Chester around 1907.
He was a Regular Soldier serving with the 1st Battalion and at the outbreak of War was stationed in Londonderry. He sailed on the SS Massilia on 14th August and his Medal Card confirms that he entered France on 16th August. He fought under Captain Jones or Captain Rich on the right flank of the Battalion's action at Audregnies on 24th August.
Henry was killed on May 25th 1915, the day that the Battle of 2nd Ypres ended when Germans took Bellewaerde Ridge and Mousetrap Farm. According to Crookenden (page 52) the 1st Battalion were along a line in front of Zillebeke from Hill 60 to the North. carrying out "demonstrations" in support of an attack in the Hooge area. "Enemy shelling was heavy and German retaliation with minenwerfer (short range mortars) was worse".
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