Private Henry Cawthray

Manchester Regiment, 9^th Battalion, Service no. 13446.

Born: 18^th June 1886.  Died: 1947.

Story

Henry was born in Kippax, the son of Emmanuel Cawthray and Robina Hunter.  Henry’s mother was also born in Kippax.  Henry married Elizabeth Ann Watson in Hunslet on 16^th August 1906, and they had three children: Henry (30^th December 1906); Ethel Irene (17^th March 1908) and Nellie (11^th September 1911).  When Henry enlisted into the Manchester Regiment on 2^nd November 1914, Elizabeth was pregnant with their fourth child, Annie (who was born 5^th April 1915).  After training, Henry served in the Mediterranean from 6^th July 1915 to 27^th January 1916, and then fought in Mesopotamia from 10^th August 1916 to 8^th June 1918.  Henry was 5 ft 5¾ inches tall and had a tattoo on his left middle finger, and forearm.  He was in constant trouble with the army, and was punished for being absent without leave on several occasions, which led to his pay being docked, and being confined to Barracks for 3 days, 7 days, 3 days, then followed a 72 hours detention.  He was also charged with being drunk.  Whilst in Mesopotamia, Henry contracted malaria.  While recuperating at his home, 14 Askern Grove, Hunslet, his youngest daughter Annie fell ill and passed away on 17^th October 1918 from pneumonia, aged three.  Henry was discharged from the Army on 3^rd January 1919, and moved to Leeds.  He was living by himself in 1939 at 19 Greenwood Street, as a general labourer, and passed away in 1947, whilst his wife Elizabeth passed away in Leeds in 1949.         

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