Private Thomas Hugh Henry
Thomas Hugh Henry was born on 15 January 1894 in Church Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim, the fourth of five children of car owner John Henry and his wife Martha (née McDonald). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Church Street with his parents and siblings, and working as a grain miller's clerk.
Henry enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 31 December 1915 and 3 January 1916 (No.2052). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd North Irish Horse Regiments.
In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Henry, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Henry was issued regimental number 41425.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin and the fighting around Mount Kemmel in March and April 1918.
Henry was wounded during the Advance to Victory offensive, possibly on 4 September in the attack near Wulverghem. On 29 January 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
At least one of Henry's brothers, James, also served in the war, in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.