The Fallen of Harlow in WW1: Henry Belben

Burnt Mill Academy / Thu 14th Mar 2019 at 10:24am

THE short life of Henry Belbie as read out by Burnt Mill Academy student Ashley.

This project has been supported by Harlow Council’s Civic Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never Forget.

Henry “Harry” Belben

Henry’s parents were William Henry Belben, born in Wimborne, Dorset in 18631 and Lucy Elizabeth Turner, born in Petersfield, Hampshire in 18722. They married in Petersfield in 18933 and Henry was born in Ringwood, Hampshire in the summer of 18964.

The 1911 census shows William working as an insurance agent with The Prudential. They were residing at 6 Broomhill Cottages, Netteswell Cross with their five children Anthony, Henry, Wilfred and twins Austin and Lizzie. William and Lucy’s eldest children were born in Ringwood however the three younger children were born in Netteswell. Henry was working as a grocer’s errand boy. By 1918 William and Lucy had moved to 15 Market Street in Poole, Dorset.

Private Henry Belben, 10137, enlisted at Hertford and joined The 1st Battalion of The Bedfordshire Regiment. Henry was involved in the British Counter attack in response to the Germans’ fifth Ludendorff Offensive which began on 4 August 1918. The attack was known as ‘The Big Push’ which led to the ending of the First World War just three months later.

Corporal Henry Belben was involved in the British and Canadian advance in Picardy. Henry was killed in action on 21 August 1918 at the age of 22. Henry’s name is on panels 4 and 5 amongst the 9,903 names on The Memorial to the Missing at Vis-en-Artois, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France. In the cemetery lie 1,700 British and 573 Canadian soldiers who died in the capture of this sector on 27 August 1918.