Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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7047221   Fusilier Isaac Henry
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 09/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 05/07/1910
Died: 15/04/1943 (Killed in Action)
Age: 32
Summary      
Isaac Henry was the son of Robert Henry and Anne Henry. He was born on 5th July 1910 at Magheraglass, Cookstown. He was one of at least nine children. Prior to joining the army he was a steel erector. He went to live in Coventry with his wife, Margaret. Isaac Henry was conscripted in 1940. Fusilier Isaac Henry was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Tunisia on 16th April 1943.
Further Information
Isaac Henry was the son of Robert Henry and Anne Henry. Robert Henry and Annie McGaughey were married on 5th June 1897 in the district of Cookstown.
Isaac Henry was born on 5th July 1910 at Magheraglass, Cookstown. He was one of at least nine children.
Known family: Robert Henry, Annie Henry, John Henry (born 24th August 1897), Mary Jane Henry (born 12th November 1899), Archibald Henry (born 7th November 1900), Annie Henry (born 17th November 1901), Robert A Henry (born 8th January 1905), Thomas G Henry (born 18th November 1907), Isaac Henry (born 5th July 1910), Arthur Henry (born 4th September 1914), Eliza Henry (born 3rd August 1917).
Prior to joining the army he was a steel erector. He went to live in Coventry with his wife, Margaret.
Isaac Henry was conscripted in 1940.
The 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers were part of the 38th (Irish Brigade) who fought in North Africa.
On 15th-16th April 1943, his battalion was tasked with capturing the Djebelang, one at a series of barren rocky hills north of Medjez in Tunisia. Whilst the Battalion made good progress in capturing what was a hill fortress subsequent artillery fire and mortaring and sniping killed two officers and three other ranks. It is believed Fusilier Isaac Henry was one of these casualties.
Fusilier Isaac Henry was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 16th April 1943. He was 32 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th May 1943: Roll of Honour
HENRY – 16th April 1943, Private Isaac Henry, Royal Irish Fusiliers, killed in action, beloved husband of Margaret Henry of Gortreagh, Cookstown. Deeply regretted by his wife and family.
‘Could we have raised his dying head,
Or heard his last farewell.
The blow would not have been so hard
For us who loved him well.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 21st April 1945: Roll of Honour
HENRY – In loving memory of my dear uncle, Isaac, who was killed in action on 16th April 1943.
‘A day of remembrance sad to recall,
Without farewell you left us all;
Some will forget you, now you are gone,
But I will remember you, no matter how long.’
Ever remembered by his loving niece, Agnes Donnelly. Rock, Dungannon.
Fusilier Isaac Henry is buried at Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery in Tunisia. The inscription reads ‘HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. SADLY MISSED BY WIFE AND FAMILY, COOKSTOWN. N. I.’
Fusilier Isaac Henry is commemorated locally on Cookstown Cenotaph and at Kildress Parish Church.
The CWGC record Fusilier Isaac Henry as the son of Robert and Annie Henry of Cookstown, County Tyrone. He is also records as the husband of Margaret Henry of Cookstown.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Magheraglass Kildress-Tullagh Born in Magheraglass 54.631775 -6.848593
2 Gortreagh, Kildress Kildress-Tullagh Wife lived in Gortreagh 54.629261 -6.823807
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Henry family Lists the family at house 1 in Magheraglass. Oaklands, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Henry family Lists Isaac as a baby at house 4 in Magheraglass, Oaklands, Tyrone
3 Guardsman Thomas Megaw Buried in Medjez-El-Bab cemetery
4 Irish Brigade - 272 Isaac Henry Brief details of Fusilier Isaac Henry
5 Sergeant William Heron Listed on Medjez-El-Bab memorial
6 Townlands.ie - Gortreagh Wife lived in Gortreagh, possibly Kildress
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Fusilier Isaac Henry's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023