HENRY GEORGE SHRUBSOLE
b 3 Jun 1899 Sellindge, Kent
d 1918 The Somme, France
Henry was born on 3rd Jun 1899 in Sellindge the youngest of 6 children of John Clements Shrubsole & Susannah Hammon.
In November 1914, at the age of 16 years and 5 mths he enlisted in the 4th Bn; The Buffs, stating his name was George Shrubsole & that he was 19 years of age. His father wrote to the army on 24 Jan 1916 & after he produced evidence of his son’s birth Henry was discharged on 17.2.1916 ‘as a consequence of having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment’.
Presumably George, (real name Henry George but he always called himself George), couldn't wait until he was old enough to enlist legally, as by 26th April 1918 he was a casualty of the 1st World War and had died at the tender age of 18 years + 10 mths. Those poor parents; Henry must have so desperately wanted to join up that as soon as he was of age he again enlisted, this time with the 18th Bn; Lancashire Fusiliers. I believe the Lancashire Fusiliers 18th (Service) Battalion (2nd South East Lancashire) became absorbed into the 5th army fighting in France, and as we all know the conditions were appalling. His death is commemorated at Poziers, Somme, France & at Sellindge Memorial in Kent.
Sellindge memorial in Kent, England is an ornate bronze plaque divided into three sections and mounted onto a marble tablet. On the central section of the plaque is a relief depicting a wounded or dead soldier on the battlefield with Christ standing over him. On either side and below the relief, the dedication is written in raised lettering. Two additional tablets are mounted beneath with the dedication and names to the Second World War written in black lettering. It is mounted on the wall inside the Church of St Mary the Virgin, and bears 18 names of those lost during WWI.Sandra C 27 Jul 2022
HENRY GEORGE SHRUBSOLE
B 3 Jun 1899 Sellindge, Kent, England
D 26 Apr 1918 The Somme, France
