Pte 85267 Henry Edward Gloyne

• Age: 26
• From: Flint, Flintshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 10th October 1918
• Commemorated at: Montay Communal Cem
  Panel Ref: 5

Henry (Harry) Edward Gloyne was born in Flint on 11th February, 1892 and baptised on the 6th March, 1892 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Flint. He was the eighth of nine children to Archibald Gloyne and his wife Catherine (Jones). Harry’s father, Archibald, was born in Dover, Kent, whilst his mother Catherine, was born in Flint.  His parents married in Prescot in 1872.

On the 1891 Census, prior to Harry's birth, the family are living at 12 Salisbury St, Flint. Father Archibald 37 a chemical labourer b.Dover, mother Catherine 37 b.Flint, children all born Flint, Margaret 17, Alfred 15 chemical labourer, Archibald 14 chemical labourer, Benjamin 11, Esther 6, Ellen 4 and Katey 2. 

When Harry was born the Gloyne family were still living at 12, Salisbury Street, Flint.

On the 1901 Census the family have moved and are living at 27 Mumforth Street, Flint. Harry's father Archibald is now aged 47 and described as a chemical worker, whilst his mother, Catherine, is also 47. Their children, still resident at the family home are listed as; Alfred aged 26 and a chemical worker, Archibald is 24 and also a chemical worker, Ellen is 14, Catherine is 11, Henry is 8, and Richard is 6. 

By the time of the 1911 Census the family are now living at 41 Mumforth St, Flint. Harry is now aged 19 and a chemical worker, he lives with his parents and two siblings. His father Archibald is now aged 57 and a salt cake foreman, his mother Catherine is also 57. they have been married for 38 years and have had 10 children, 9 of whom have survived. His siblings are shown as; Catherine aged 22 and Richard aged 15 and a butchers assistant.  

Henry (Harry) married Harriet Williams on 19th February, 1918 at St Winifride’s Catholic Church, Well Street, Holywell, and at the time of their marriage Harry was based at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry.  Harriet was born in Holywell in 1894 and during the war she was a munitions worker. Whilst Harry was in the army she went to live with her widowed mother in 6, Davies Square, New Road, Holywell. They had no children but Harriet had an illegitimate child and the Pension card gives the details as Catherine Winifred Gloyne Williams born on 07th July 1914.

He enlisted in Flint with the 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, No. 13535. He was wounded in action, whilst still with the RWF, on the 02nd July, 1916, and was also suffering from shell shock.

Details were reported in the Flintshire County Herald 28th July 1916

PRIVATE HARRY GLOYNE WOUNDED

Mr A. Gloyne of 41 Mumforth Street, Flint has received the intimation from the Records Office, Shrewsbury, that his son, Private Harry Gloyne, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was wounded in action on July 2nd, and was also suffering from "shell shock."

At some point Harry transferred to the 18th battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private No 85267 and was killed in action in France on 10th October 1918. 

On 07th October 1918 the 18th Batttalion arrives at the Hindenburg Line and pursues the retreating German army.  

The battalion War Diary records -  

10th October 1918 - At 0230 hours the battalion moved forward to a position near RUEMONT, and attacked towards LE CATEAU at 0510.  Very little opposition was met with at the start but later considerable M.G. fire was encountered. …  Our right company was not in touch with the flank, and the troops on the right appeared to be held up by M.G. fire from the railway embankment … A short length of trench on the high ground immediately E. of LE CATEAU was also reported to be held by the enemy.  At 0848 the Centre Coy reached K.33.b and pushed a platoon into the N. W. outskirts of LE CATEAU.  The right company was temporarily held up by MG and sniper fire, but appeared to be almost in the town itself.  Hostile M.G. fire was reported from the direction of Q.10. … Houses in K.28.a were reported to be strongly held by the Bosche, and a patrol was sent out to investigate and deal with them. … During the advance on LE CATEAU considerable difficulty was experienced, owing to a “whizz bang” battery being able to fire over open sights at the troops as they moved up the rise and along a slight valley.

Total Casualties from 7th to 13th October:

Killed – 2 Officers, 18 O.R.

Wounded – 6 Officers, 111 O.R.

Died of Wounds – 1 O.R.

Wounded and Missing – 1 Officer, 20 O.R.

Harry was one of the casualties referred to in the diary, he was 26 years of age and now rests at Montay Communal Cemetery, France.

Montay was reached by Commonwealth forces on 10 October 1918; most of those buried in this communal cemetery died between 19 October and 6 November 1918, but there is one grave from August 1914. The cemetery contains 27 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.

Soldiers Effects for 291143 (crossed out) 85267, Pension to widow Harriet and child Catherine Winfred Gloyne Williams, 6 Davies Sq, New Road, Holywell.

He is also commemorated on the following memorials:

Flint House

St Mary’s Catholic Church, Flint

A notice was placed in the County Herald on 08th October 1920

IN MEMORIAM

He has fallen with others so noble and brave,
And to-night he is sleeping in a hero’s grave;
Only sad memories forever will stay
Of the one who sleeps in that grave far away.
Fondly remembered by his Wife and Child and all at 6, Davies Square, New Road, Holywell.

There is a major discrepancy in the details shown on the headstone and those held by ourselves. This has been raised with CWGC who have confirmed that they will look to amend/replace the headstone. They will forward a photograph of the headstone upon completion of the work and this will then be posted on this site.

I am pleased to be able to place a photograph of the amended headstone displaying Harry's correct name, service number and date of death. Thanks to CWGC for correcting the details.  

In 1925 Harriet remarried in Wrexham to a John H. Jones, but it is not known what became of her after that date.

Harry’s father, Archibald died on 25th January, 1933, aged 77, at his home in 41, Mumforth Street and was buried in the Northop Road Cemetery. Mr Gloyne had resided in Flint for over 40 years, and was well known and highly respected in the town. For many years he was in the employ of the United Alkali Company as a fireman. He was a member of the Flint Conservative Club and also of the Flint Castle Lodge of Oddfellows, and when he died the flag was flown at half-mast at the headquarters of both organisations. He was a faithful member of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Flint. In August 1932 Mr and Mrs Gloyne celebrated their diamond wedding.

His mother, Catherine also died at 41 Mumforth Street on 09th August, 1934, aged 81, and was buried with her husband in an unmarked grave. Like her husband, Mrs Gloyne was well known and highly esteemed and was also a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church.

We currently have no further information on Henry Edward Gloyne. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.