William Charles Edward Henshall was born between January and March 1896. By the age of five his father had died and his mother, Mary, was working at the Royal Arsenal making canvas bags. He had an older sister, Florence and a younger sister, Alice, and the family lived at 9 Alabama Street, Plumstead.
By 1911 his mother had remarried William Ware, a farm labourer. Florence was absent at the time of the census and had probably left home and William and Alice were living with their mother and step-father at 9 Williams Place, Belle Grove, Welling. William was by then 15 years old and working as a nurseryman labourer. This means he was involved in horticulture, assisting in growing plants and flowers. At some point the family moved to 4 Albert Grove, Welling.
William was a keen volunteer, a brave young man who responded to Kitchener’s call to arms. He signed up at 18 years of age on the 7th September 1914 and Henshall was given the service number G/1759 and was designated as a private in the 3rd/4th Battalion of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. This was originally a Territorial Army Regiment that was expanded for the duration of the war. The Battalion was formed officially in June 1915 from the original Territorial Army Battalion, the 2/4th.
In early to mid 1916 William was seriously injured, and spent 10 months in hospital in Taunton in Somerset recovering from his wounds. He returned to the Front in March 1917.
The movements of the last 9 months of William’s life can be traced through his Division’s postings. On his return to his Battalion had landed at Le Havre and were temporarily attached to the 1st South African Brigade under the 9th Scottish Division. Eventually by the 22nd June they were attached to 51st Brigade of the 17th Northern Division. It is likely that this Battalion acted as reinforcements following the Divisions engagement in the Arras Offensive which lasted until the 16th June 1917. Following this, by the 3rd August the 3rd/4ths were moved to 52nd Brigade. From here Henshall survived the Third Battle of Ypres, taking part in the First and 2nd Battle for Passchendaele which were in October and November 1917. He was one of the lucky individuals to survive the gruesome horror of this infamous battle, only to perish on Boxing Day 1917. His section commander, Lance-Corporal Weaver wrote that he was a “favourite amongst us” and a “fine soldier and a fine gentleman”. We can only imagine how devastating the news of his death must have been to his family so soon after celebrating Christmas day.
The local Chronicle and District Times reported on 8th February 1918:
Private William Charles Edward Henshall, Royal West Kent Regiment, the only son of Mrs Henshall, of 4 Albert Grove, Welling fell in action on December 26th. He fell at his post, and his death was merciful, in that it was instantaneous. Captain F.C. Needham, in a letter of sympathy to his mother, writes –
“As a soldier he died, and as a soldier he was buried; he lies peacefully sleeping side by side with those of his comrades who have been called upon to make that supreme sacrifice which at any time is the duty of us all to make for our King and country. He was loved and respected by us all, and my company join me in tendering to you our deepest sympathy for the loss you have sustained”.
The Chaplain has also written a letter of consolation and sympathy to Mrs Henshall in the course of which he says: “One of his battalion has asked me to say what a splendid example of Christianity your son has been out here.”
Lance-Corporal W Weaver writes: “He was a favourite amongst us, and we all sympathise with your great loss.. We were all quite happy on Christmas day and the happiness prevailed on the morning of the 26th until he met his death.”
The remains of William lie in Orival Wood Cemetery, near Flesquieres, 5 kilometres from Cambrai. Over 274 casualties lie here, the cemetery was begun in November 1917 during the bloody battle of Cambrai. William is likely to have been one of the first casualties to be buried here as he died one month after its creation.
Our thanks to the family of William Henshall who have allowed us to use their photos of William Henshall for our website. The story of how his great nephew remembers William Henshall can be found here.
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This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to William Charles Edward Henshall, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.