Cpl 22701 Henry Gyte

• Age: 25
• From: Buxton, Derbyshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Tuesday 7th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Addenda Panel

Henry Gyte was born in 1893 in Buxton, Derbyshire and resided in Liverpool and was the son of George Edward and Sarah Ellen Gyte (nee Hill). They had married in December 1888 in Bakewell, Derbyshire. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 120a South Chester Street, Toxteth.

His father, George Edward, is aged 36 and employed as a house manager who was born in Peak Forest, Derbyshire. His wife Sarah Ellen is aged 33 and born in Tideswell, Derbyshire. They have three children Florence aged 11, Henry aged 8 and Maggie aged 5 and they were all born in Tideswell, Derbyshire.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 27 Fordham Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool.

His father, George Edward, now aged 46 is a cotton porter and his wife Sarah Ellen is aged 44 with no occupation listed. They have been married 22 years and have had six children of which two had died. Henry is aged 18, and is employed as a provision merchants clerk, his siblings are; Florence aged 21 employed as a printers assistant, Maggie is aged 15 and is also a printers assistant and Eric is aged 8 months. They also have a boarder Charles Mackinnon aged 30 who is a printer.

Prior to his enlistment in 1914 he had been employed by Thomas Wilson of Stanley Street, Liverpool.

He enlisted in Liverpool on the 09th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22701. He gave his age as 20 years and 10 months, born, Tideswell, Buxton. He was described as being five feet six and half inches tall, weighed 126lbs, with a chest 35", and was of a fresh complexion, with grey eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Protestant. His Next of Kin was  his father George E., of 27 Fordham St, Kirkdale.

Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

24th July 1915 - 7 days C.B for being absent 10pm to 2.45am 

03rd September 1915 - 4 days C.B for for not making up bed as ordered, and talking after lights out 

01st July 1916 GSW to left arm and abdomen

04th July 1916 returned to England on hospital ship Egypt

30th May 1917 Embarked

31st May 1917 joined 11th King's Liverpool Regiment at Etaples

6th June 1917 posted A Coy 17th King's Liverpool Regiment

9th July 1917 reposted 20th King's Liverpool Regiment

21st July 1917 appointed unpaid Lance Corporal

4th Aug 1917 appointed paid Lance Corporal

5th - 19th March 1918 on leave to UK

Admitted to Seaforth Hospital 19-29th March 1918 whilst on short leave from France

07th May 1918 Died of Wounds at 19 Field Ambulance on the 07th May 1918, aged 25, during the German Spring Offensive. 

Henry's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

A local newspaper reported his death:

Cpl. Harry Gyte, King's (L'pool Regt.), aged 25, died of wounds received in action May 7. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Gyte of 27, Fordham st., Walton. He joined in 1914, being previously employed by Thomas Wilson, Stanley st.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to father George Edward and pension to mother Sarah Ellen. Personal items returned letters, photo, wallet, 2 pocket books, cig. case, mirror, electric torch, and 1 belt.

His father George died June 1924 aged 60 and his mother Sarah Ellen died in March 1938 aged 70. 

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