‘C’ Company, 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 26th September 1917
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour
The following is an extract from the above publication:-
MAYCOCK, HENRY GEORGE, Sergeant, No. 235367, 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, youngest son of the late Thomas Maycock, by his wife, Agnes (1, Evelyn Street, Barry Dock), daughter of Edwin George Bland, of London; born Chiswick, W., 13 June 1893; educated County Council School, Beckton Road there; joined the Welsh Territorials in 1910; was called up on mobilisation in August 1914, and transferred to the Welsh Fusiliers; was for some time Sergeant-Instructor in Scotland, Hartlepool and Durham; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from June, 1917, and was killed in action at Bourlon Wood 26 September following. Buried where he fell. His eldest brother was killed in the South African War in 1900.
Synopsis of Life and Military Service
Further to the above information in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, the following has been ascertained:-
Following his birth in June 1893, he was baptised on the 6 August 1893 at Chiswick, London. In the 1901 Census, he was residing with his mother, sister Alice and nephew Edward at Ravenscroft Road, West Ham, London, by this time his father Thomas appears to have died sometime between the 1891 and 1901 Census.
At the age of 17 years, while residing at Barry Docks, Glamorgan, Wales, he is shown as a shop assistant and working in a butchers shop and still residing with his mother, sister Alice and nephew Edward.
He was to enlist into the Welsh Regiment at Barry, Glamorgan as number 570, this was probably as a Territorial prior to the war. Following the start of the war and on being mobilised it would appear that he was placed in the Welsh Regiment as a Serjeant Instructor, number 290029 and taught at various base depot training establishments, this was until his transfer to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers where he was given the number 235367 and entered the French / Flanders Theatre of War arriving on the continent in June 1917.
Unfortunately, he was only to survive around 3 months as he was killed in action, while the battalion was involved in a major attack (the details of which are below).
He was buried where he fell and as a result his body was either never recovered or he was found and not identified as he is honoured and remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
War Diary of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
The following is an extract of the above publication from the 25th – 27th September 1917 the 26th being the date of death of Henry Maycock.
Trenches – 25th September 1917
Moved up to Railway embankment and thence to the support line, in readiness for the attack.
Trenches – 26th September 1917
Received orders at 8.15 a.m. from B.G.C. 98th Brigade to attack and consolidate a line from CAMERON HOUSE to REUTELBEEK by passing through the Australian lines West of Polygon Wood. Moved off from STIRLING CASTLE area 10.5 a.m. and proceeded to BLACK WATCH CORNER passing round the Northern side of GLENCORSE WOOD – Casualties caused by shellfire from 12 to 15 Other Ranks.
Formed up on line shown in GREEN on accompanying map, by 11.45 on a two Company frontage, with one company in support and one company in reserve. Casualties by Machine Gun and Shell Fire – slight. Zero 12 noon. Front line moved off followed by support company. Two Companies failed to keep connection owing to left front company and extended in front of CARLISLE FARM. Two platoons in reserve company were in rear and occupied gun emplacements and pill-boxes. Casualties about 120 including Major R.A. Poore, D.S.O., Adjutant, three Company Commanders and three subalterns. Approximate positions shown in RED on accompanying map. Companies were organised in these positions by Captain N.H. Radford M.C. on whom the command had devolved.
At dusk the front companies fell back in conjunction with the Australians, who like themselves had exhausted all their S.A.A. (Small Arms Ammunition)on to the line shown in BLUE. This necessitated a second reorganisation. Twice before midnight an S.O.S. barrage was put down but no infantry attack developed on this Battalion front. A patrol was sent out in the early hours of the morning but only a hostile listening post was once untered (sic).
Casualties :- Killed.. Major R.A. Poore D.S.O. (Royal Wilts Yeomanry attached 2nd R.W.F.), A/Captain and Adjutant J.C. Mann M.C., A/Captain E. Coster M.C., 2nd Lieutenant R.A.Casson., 2nd Lieutenant E.F.C. Colquhoun., 2nd Lieutenant H. LI Evans., 2nd Lieutenant I Williams.
Wounded :- Lieutenant M. Williams., Wounded (at duty) 2nd Lieutenant E.H. Evans.,
Killed :- 31 Other Ranks. Wounded:- 121 Other Ranks. Wounded (at duty) 1 Other Rank. Wounded and Missing :- 1 Other Rank. Missing :- 36 Other Ranks on 26th and 27th.
Trenches 27th September 1917
Captain E.R. Kearlsley D.S.O. sent up from “B” Echelon and took over command of Battalion. Orders were received to again attack and mop up the CAMERON HOUSE and JUT FARM area, in conjunction with the Australians on the left. This attack was carried out without artillery preparation, after careful reconnaissance, by means of filtering men through in small numbers. CAMERON HOUSE was found to be occupied by the Australians and JUT FARM was then rushed and 14 prisoners taken. The final approximate positions were as shown in BLACK.
For the purpose of this second attack a company of the 5th Scottish Rifles was attached and formed part of the right of the advance. During the attack casualties were slight but when going out to inspect the line Captain E.R. Kearsley D.S.O. was wounded and Captain N.H. Radford M.C. again assumed command.
Family
Henry George Maycock was born in Chiswick, London on 13 June 1893. His family is shown as follows :-
- Father: Thomas Maycock, born c.1852 at Walbrook, Middlesex.
- Mother: Agnes Bland or Maycock, born c.1852 at St. Pancras, London.
- Brother: William E.
- Brother: Edwin J., born c.1873 at Chiswick, Middlesex.
- Brother: Ernest W., born c.1875 at Chiswick, Middlesex.
- Brother: Alfred, born c.1876 at Chiswick, Middlesex.
- Brother: John F., born c.1982 at Hammersmith, Middlesex.
- Sister: Emily E., born c.1884 at Hammersmith, Middlesex.
- Sister: Agnes G., born c.1890 at Chiswick, Middlesex.
- Sister: Alice Maud, born c.1880 at Chiswick, Middlesex.
His nephew Edward Maycock, born c.1899 is shown as residing at their home addresses both in the 1901 and 1911 Census and was clearly a close member of the family as along with his mother, brothers Fred and William and sister Alice, he is shown as receiving money from his belongings and pension.
Addresses
The following addresses have been ascertained for Henry, where he was living with his family:-
- 1901: 91 Ravenscroft Road, West Ham, London.
- 1911: 7 Thompson Street, Barry Docks, Glamorgan.
- Post Death: Family is shown as residing at 1, Evelyn Street, Barry, Glamorgan.
Medals
Henry George Maycock was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War as his service in the theatre of war commenced in 1917.
Memorials
Henry George Maycock is honoured and remembered on the following memorials:-
- Barry Memorial Hall, Barry South Glamorgan.
Conflicting Information
An article in the Western Mail newspaper dated 11 October 1917 states that he was formerly a member of the Welsh Cyclists although I could find no information on this. It also states that he had been a Territorial eight years before the war. This would have made him around 13 years of age which seems unlikely, perhaps the eight years was from the date of his death.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Henry George Maycock
- Lives of the First World War – Henry George Maycock
- A Street Near You website – Henry George Maycock
- Find a Grave: Tyne Cot Memorial
- Imperial War Museum Memorials: Barry Memorial Hall
References
- 1891 Census.
- 1901 England, Wales and Scotland Census.
- 1911 England and Wales Census.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Register of Soldiers Effects.
- Medal Index Card.
- Soldiers Died in the Great War.
- English Births and Christenings 1538 to 1975.
- Medal Roll – 4th Royal Welch Fusiliers – British War And Victory Medals.
- Pension Cards.
- Western Mail newspaper dated 11 October 1917
Groups
- Not Currently Listed
Contributors:-
- Vincent Stuart
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