Pte 300199 Henry Gordon Bickley

• Age: 21
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 2nd January 1918
• Commemorated at: Hooge Crater Cem, Zillebeke
  Panel Ref: XVI.J.19

Henry Gordon Bickley was born on 11^th February 1896 in Birkenhead, the son of Henry Bickley and his wife Harriet Meare (nee Brady). His parents married 1875. Henry Gordon was baptized on 09^th July, 1897 at St Catherine's church in Tranmere.

The 1901 Census finds Henry aged 5 living at 27 Liversidge Street with his parents and seven siblings. His father, Henry, is a 54 year old grocer born in Husbands Bosworth, Leics, whilst his mother, Harriet M. is aged 43 and was born in Southampton. His siblings are recorded as; Sarah L. 24, Robert G. 23 shipping clerk, Henrietta M. 21, Alice A. 19, Caroline H. 16, William E. 14, Sydney A. 11 

The 1911 Census finds Henry aged 15 and still at school. His father, Henry, is a 64 year old brokers clerk, his mother Harriet M. is now 53. His parents advise that they have been married for 35 years and have had 11 children, eight of whom have survived. His siblings still in the household are; Sarah 34, Robert 33 shipping clerk, Caroline 26 florist shop assistant, Sydney 21 married, ship draughtsman.

Henry was educated at Birkenhead Institute.

His father died on the 18th September 1914, aged 68.  

He enlisted in Liverpool and served in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300199. He served previously as Private No 250843 with the 18th Lancashire Hussars. 

He was killed in action on the 02^nd January 1918, aged 21.

He was originally buried in Bass Wood No.2 Cemetery and now rests at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HE THAT LOSETH HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE SHALL FIND IT” 

Hooge Chateau and its stables were the scene of very fierce fighting throughout the First World War. On 31 October 1914, the staff of the 1st and 2nd Divisions were wiped out when the chateau was shelled; from 24 May to 3 June 1915, the chateau was defended against German attacks and in July 1915, the crater was made by a mine sprung by the 3rd Division. On 30 July, the Germans took the chateau, and on 9 August, it and the crater were regained by the 6th Division. The Germans retook Hooge on 6 June 1916 and on 31 July 1917, the 8th Division advanced 1.6 Kms beyond it. It was lost for the last time in April 1918, but regained by the 9th (Scottish) and 29th Divisions on 28 September.

Hooge Crater Cemetery was begun by the 7th Division Burial Officer early in October 1917. It contained originally 76 graves, in Rows A to D of Plot I, but was greatly increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of Zillebeke, Zantvoorde and Gheluvelt and other smaller cemeteries.

There are now 5,916 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 3,570 of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials record the names of a number of casualties either known or believed to be buried among them, or whose graves in other cemeteries were destroyed by shell fire.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.    

Both the Liverpool Echo and Birkenhead News of the 15th January 1918, reported that the family had been informed that he died on the 3rd or 4th Jan

DEATHS

Killed In Action

BICKLEY - January 3-4, killed in action, aged 21 years, Private Henry Gordon Bickley K.L.R., late Lancashire Hussars, the dearly beloved youngest son of Harriett and the late Henry Bickley, 27 Liversidge Road, Higher Tranmere.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Harriet M.

His mother died on 11th November 1930, aged 73.

Henry is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Birkenhead Institute War Memorial, currently located in Central Library, Borough Road, Birkenhead

Birkenhead War Memorial located in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.

Liverpool Cotton Association War Memorial, Walker House, Exchange Passage West, Liverpool.

He is also commemorated on the family headstone in Bebington Cemetery which reads:

"In loving memory of Henry Bickley who died September 18th 1914 aged 68 years also Harriet Meare the beloved wife of the above who died November 11th, 1930, aged 73 years. Also Henry Gordon, youngest son of the above who fell in action at Zillebeke January 2nd 1918 aged 21 years. Also Robert George beloved eldest son of the above who passed away May 23rd 1937 aged 53 years."

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