Circumstances Leading to the Award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 3 Jan 1915

Citation: "For gallant conduct on 3rd January 1915 at Neuve Chapelle in the able assistance rendered in the attack in a German trench when 30 of the occupants were killed or wounded."

The Attack: Dawn of 3rd January 1915, was heralded by a thick white mist. As the mist slowly lifted the astonished sentries of the right flank company saw before them a new German trench not fifty yards away. The enemy had come forward across "No Man's Land" during the night and had dug in. The fire encountered by the reconnoitring subaltern had been that of the enemy's covering party.

The reason of that action of the enemy was uncertain. Conjectures varied between a jumping-off place for an assault, a desire to get close enough to be safe from our artillery fire, or the expected attempt to drain water into our trenches. One thing alone was certain: the enemy could not be allowed to remain in their new position. It was decided that an attack on the new trench should be made that night.

It was arranged that the attack should be made by a party of one subaltern and twenty-five men. No permanent occupation of the trench was intended: orders being that the party should clear the trench and then return as quickly as possible. Arrangements were made for artillery support against the enemy's main lines. Lieut. F. C. Roberts was selected by Lieut.-Colonel Wodehouse to command the attacking party.

The raid was carried out exactly as planned. Waiting until the moon had been clouded over, Lieut. Roberts led his party over the parapet at 8.45 p.m. On a given signal the little party rushed forward in silence to the German trench. Three sentries of the enemy were taken completely by surprise, and were bayonetted before they could shoot. The trench was found to be full of sleeping Germans; who were all bayonetted or shot, save some few who broke out of the trench and ran back across the open. Then Lieut. Roberts gave the signal to retire, and his men got back as quickly as was possible. Just as they scrambled back over our parapet the German main line broke out with heavy rifle-fire, bowling over the hapless survivors running towards them, and at the same moment our own artillery opened a sudden bombardment. For some twenty minutes heavy firing lasted. Then the firing died down and it was possible to call the roll. Of Lieut. Robert's party two men had not returned: their bodies were seen next day lying on the German parapet. The German losses were officially estimated at thirty.

That gallant little exploit received prompt recognition. Within twenty-four hours Lieut. Roberts was awarded the D.S.O., Sergeant H. Edwards, Lance-Corporal G. Darby and Private H. Evans were awarded the D.C.M.

Courtesy of the excellent website The Worcestershire Regiment  

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Henry was killed in action on 24th Sept 1915 and the was diary for the day is transcribed below:

"Final day of bombardment of enemy trenches. A damp day. Enemy's reply to our fire about the same as previous day. The battalion was relieved in the trenches [front lines] by the R. Berkshire and Rifle Brigade. By 11pm the battalion had settled down into its is place in assigned trenches [support] by Elbow Farm and Smith's Villa, 1 mile SE of Fleurbain. The battalion was then a support battalion of the 24th Brigade which, less 2 battalions, was in support to 25th Brigade. C.S.M Edwards was killed in this day, a great loss to the battalion as he was a trusted Warrant Officer of proved courage".

As can be seen the cause of Henry's death is not described but it was most likely due to shell fire.