Harry was in fact born Henry Thomas Squibb, the son of Charles and Fanny (nee Lucas). His father had been married before to Amelia Trevitt (in 1860, died 1863) and had married Fanny (nee Frances Lucas, 1845) in 1865. There were two daughters from the first marriage, Ann Jane (born 1860) and Mary (born 1863).
Both parents were from Dorset, Charles born in Poxwell and Fanny in Osmington, and the family lived in Broadmayne, near Dorchester, for a few years. Henry Thomas was the first child from the second marriage, born there in 1866, followed by Martha Elizabeth in 1867. Then the family moved to Woodsford, East of Dorchester, where William Charles was born two weeks before the 1871 census, which shows the family with 5 children living in Old Cottage No 2, Woodsford, Charles being an apprentice shepherd.
All Harry’s younger siblings we know of were born on Woodsford: Eliza Mary in 1874, Bertha Amy in 1876, Charles Edward in 1878/79, Bessie Matilda in 1881, Minnie Ethel in 1883, Dora May in 1888 and Frank (registered in Bath District for whatever reason ?) in 1890. By the 1881 census, the half-sisters had left home and Harry was already working, age 14, as an agricultural carter boy, while his three sisters were at school. The father was a shepherd, but describes himself as an agricultural labourer ten years later.
Harry left home before 1891 and he may have been away with the Army because he does not appear to be on the 1891 and 1901 censuses. He had enrolled before 1886 and took part in the Boer War. He was then a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery. Henry Thomas know as Harry was No 56838.
Harry’s father died in 1899, while his son was probably away in South Africa. One of the brothers, Charles Edward, became the head of the household: he is in Broadmayne in 1901 with his mother, Dora and Frank, the 2 youngest children, working as a woodman. Ten years later, he is still in Broadmayne, with a wife and one child, and Fanny is still with them.
Once back in England, Harry married in 1902 Margaret Culleton (Woolwich district): he was 35 and she was 19, the daughter of Michael Culleton, a sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery, born in Aldershot. The 1911 census find them living at 46 Dour Street, Dover, still without children, Harry being an Army sergeant major in the RHA. They had eight stillbirths before their daughter and only child, Lilian M. was born in 1912.
But Harry had not finished with the Army and he did his duty in 1914, despite being already 48. He died in Mesopotamia on the 22nd November 1917, at the age of 51. The announcement of his death appeared in the Dover Express of 14th December 1917 : “Whilst in service in Mesopotamia, Harry Squibb, Regiment Sergeant Major 3rd Home Counties Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, of pneumonia on the 22nd November 1917, from his sorrowing wife and little daughter Lily.” Lily was only 5.
His wife must have come back towards her parents because she is said to be living at 3, Williams Cottages, Danson Lane, Welling at the time the death was recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and this is the reason he was added to the East Wickham and Welling War Memorial. He is also listed on the Dover War Memorial.
Harry was awarded the MSM, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He is buried in Baghdad (North gate) War Cemetery.
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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 Harry (Henry Thomas) Squibb, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.