Born in 1898 at Woodford Bridge, son of Sam Benjamin (Plumbers Mate at Claybury Hospital) and Emily Shepherd. 1911: A Scholar, living with his family at 4 Violet Terrace, Gainsborough Road, Woodford Bridge. He enlisted at Woodford in February 1917, leaving his job with the Gas Light & Coke Company, to serve with 22 Royal Fusiliers.
His Battalion was part of 99 Brigade, 2 Division, and towards the end of 1917 they were involved with operations around Cambrai. At 17.00 on 26th November, 99 Brigade moved forward to relieve 36 Division in the front line. 62 Division had seen fierce fighting around Bourlon Wood. After several advances and retirements the situation had stabilised. However the Division had taken so many casualties that reinforcement was required.
At 21.15 on 27th November, 22 Royal Fusiliers detached from 2 Division and were loaned to 62 Division. One of their first tasks was to help consolidate the ground recently captured before planning any further assaults. It was next day during this period of consolidation and continuing hostilities, that Henry Shephard was killed in action by a shell in the area of Bourlon Wood.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
2 Division History