The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Sergeant H J Hirschfield

Photograph by "chris(tine) eaton"

Serjeant Henry James HIRSCHFIELD, G/2073, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, 49 Casualty Clearing Station, Flanders France, 30th September 1918.

Born Strand, London, son of Albert Henry & Sarah Thurza (Theresa) Hirschfield, 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park, SE17.

1911 Census - 28 St Marys Square, Lambeth, SE - Albert Henry Hirschfield, head, age 46, married, cart minder, worker, born Covent Garden, London; Sarah Thurza Hirschfield, wife, age 44, married 24 years, 14 children, 13 still alive, born Westminster, London; Lilian Mary Hirschfield, daughter, age 19, single, blouse assistant, worker, born St Annes, London; Henry James Hirschfield, son, age 18, single, fruiterers assistant, worker, born Strand, London; Daisy Maud Hirschfield, daughter, age 16, single, housemaid domestic, worker, born Covent Garden, London; Grace Ivy Hirschfield, daughter, age 13, school, born Strand Buildings, London; Sidney Hirschfield, son, age 13, school, born Clare Market, London; Victor Hirschfield, son, age 11, school, born Strand, London; Percy Hirschfield, son, age 8, school, born Lambeth, London; Cecil Hirschfield, son, age 5, school, born Lambeth, London; Constance Hirschfield, daughter, age 4, born Lambeth, London; Rosa Hirschfield, daughter, age 2, born Lambeth, London.

Enlisted Woolwich, SE, age 21 years & 40 days, height 5ft 4½ inches, weight 120lbs, fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, irregular round scar surrounding the umbilicus, three small scars back of neck . Formerly clerk.

Home, 7th September 1914 to 25th July 1915; BEF, 26th July 1915 to 2nd October 1916; Home, 3rd October 1916 to 10th February 1917; BEF, 11th February 1917 to 6th July 1918; Leave to UK, 7th July 1918 to 20th July 1918; BEF, 21st July 1918 to 30th September 1918.

7th September 1914, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 9th September 1914, posted 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 4th October 1914, Purfleet, overstaying is pass from 12.00 midnight till 12.00 midnight 5th October 1914, forfeits 2 days pay, forfeits 1 days pay; 29th November 1914, Purfleet, overstaying his pass from midnight until found in bed at Reveille 2nd December 1914, 4 days confined to Camp, forfeits 3 days pay; 25th December 1914, Purfleet, quitting Camp at about 7.30am & remaining absent till 9.00pm 27th December 1914, 10 days confined to Barracks, forfeits 4 days pay, forfeits 3 days pay; 21st July 1915, Codford, absent at 7.00am Parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 26th July 1915, posted BEF; 26th July 1915, embarked; 24th August 1915, 55 Field Ambulance, sprained ankle; 25th August 1915, 54 Field Ambulance, arthritis; 25th August 1915, 18 DRS, arthritis; 29th August 1915, to Duty; 3rd October 1916, wounded, gun shot wound to back / chest; 3rd October 1916, Wimereux, 32 General Hospital; 3rd October 1916, to England, Hospital Ship "St Denis"; 3rd October 1916, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 3rd October 1916 to 3rd November 1916, Hospital; 3rd November 1916 to 13th November 1916, furlough; 13th November 1916, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment[ 8th December 1916, Rochester, absent without leave from Tattoo until 9.30pm, 16th December 1916, forfeits 9 days pay, deprived 18 days pay, 10 days confined to Barracks; 11th February 1917, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 11th February 1917, embarked / disembarked; 6th March 1917, joined Battalion, In the Field; 12th August 1917, 13 Field Ambulance, JCT arms; 5th September 1917, rejoined Battalion; 18th October 1917, appointed unpaid Lance Corporal; 3rd November 1917, Acting Corporal; 12th December 1917, with Battalion, to Italy; 1st April 1918, returned to France with Battalion; 3rd / 31st May 1918, promoted Corporal; 29th June 1918 promoted Sergeant for service in the Field; 22nd August 1918, awarded DCM; 27th September 1918, wounded in action gun shot wounds.

15th September 1919, Statement of Relatives - Father, Albert Henry Hirschfield, 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park; Mother, Sarah Thurza Hirschfield, 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park; Brothers - Charles Albert Edward, age 34, 49 Peabody Buildings; Sidney Francis Reginald Ashfield, age 21, Queens Hospital, ????; Victor Lionel, age 19, Military Hospital, Gravesend; Percival Gordon, age 16, 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park; Cecil Arthur Leonard, age 14, 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park; Sisters - May Evelyn Johnston, age 31, 40 Cutton Street, Duneddon, ???; Violet Emily Whitebread, age 30, 13 Calthorpe Street, Grays; Lilian Mary Green, age 28, 6 Longville Road, Newington; Daisy Maud Wheeler?, age 24, 11 Calthorpe Street, Grays; Grace Ivy Hu????, age 22, 113 Brook Street, Kennington Road; Consrance Thurza Ena, age 102 Royal Road, Kennington Park.

Buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, XIV. D. 9, France.

AWARDS: DCM

London Gazette 30th October 1918

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men, for gallantry and distinguished service in the Field:

Serjeant H J HIRSCHFIELD, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. (Kennington, SE.)

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He distinguished himself by the courage and resolute skill he displayed in leading his men forward in an attack. Rushing to the front, he attacked groups of the enemy, inflicting severe causalities. When the final objective was reached he at once went forward to give covering fire and assist in destroying the bridges, which was successfully accomplished in spite of heavy fire from enemy snipers and machine guns. During the whole operation his fine example and cheerful bearing did much to maintain the spirit and ardour of his men.

This page was last updated on 08-Dec-2019.