KENRICK, Henry George
| Service Number: | 1683 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 December 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Upton Park, Essex, England, 1889 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Brisbane Technical College |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Killed in action, Mouquet Farm, France, 4 September 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1683, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 1683, 49th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Hawkes Bay embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 20 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 1683, 49th Infantry Battalion, SS Hawkes Bay, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Henry George Kenrick, known as ‘George’ to his mother, was the son of Herbert and Annie Kenrick of Queensland. His older brother, 3419 Pte. Arthur Hugh Kenrick 47th Battalion AIF later died of wounds in France in 1918. The family came to Queensland from England in 1889 when Henry was only four months of age. Henry attended a state school in Brisbane and was apparently working as a shipping clerk in Suva, Fiji just prior to enlisting.
‘George’ was reported missing during the Australian’s last attack on Mouquet Farm which caused very heavy casualties amongst the 49th Battalion. He was reported as wounded and missing on the 4 September 1916. In his Red Cross file, it was said he was last seen dead on a stretcher near the regimental aid post. He was not confirmed as killed in action until almost a year later.
The father wrote to Base Records in January 1917, seeking more information on his missing son “I am sure you will understand my great anxiety.”
No further information was forthcoming as to Kenrick’s fate. His mother, having to deal with the loss of two sons, said in a letter to Base Records during 1921, “To my deep sorrow, I can shed no light as to where my son the late 1683 H.G. Kenrick met his death…. His mates must also have shared the same fate as not one wrote me concerning him.
The Governor of Suva, his friends in England and my son the late Pte. A.H. Kenrick 47th Battalion, made every effort to find some trace of George, but without success.”
She also added on his roll of honour form, “Gave up all for home and country”