THE SHORT life of Harlow resident, Henry George Searle as read by Harlow Council’s June Acraman.

This project has been brought to you by Harlow Council’s Civic Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never Forget.

Henry’s parents were Charles Searle, born in Harlow in c.1845 and Harriet who was born in Hallingbury in c.1844. Henry George Searle was born in Harlow in the summer of 18791.

The 1881 census shows Henry living in Fore Street, Harlow with his parents and siblings Elizabeth, Charles, Albert and John. Charles was working as a journeyman hot water fitter. The 1891 census shows Henry residing in Reed Malting Cottages in Harlow with his parents and siblings which by now included George, Emily and Edith. Charles was still employed as a hot water fitter. The 1901 census shows Henry as a boarder at 6 Chelverton Road, Putney aged twenty-one where he was working as an omnibus conductor. By the time of the 1911 census Henry had returned to Harlow, residing as a lodger at Mrs Lawson’s in Market Street, Harlow where he was now working as a general labourer. The 1911 census shows that Henry’s wife Elizabeth and children were residing in the Epping Union Workhouse at the age of thirty-two. Henry had married Elizabeth Masson in Harlow in 19032.

Private Henry George Searle, 16853, enlisted in Saffron Walden and joined the 1st Battalion
of The Essex Regiment. Henry landed in Gallipoli to join his battalion on 31 July 1915 and was killed in action on 6 August 1915 at Krithia Vineyard, Gallipoli, aged 37, having only been at the front for one week. He is commemorated on The Helles Memorial to the Missing (Fell on Land), Gallipoli. Panels 144-150. Register Index Number MR4.