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.
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Isaac Henry was born on 5th July 1910 at Magheraglass, Cookstown. He was one of at least nine children.
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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).
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Prior to joining the army he was a steel erector. He went to live in Coventry with his wife, Margaret.
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Isaac Henry was conscripted in 1940.
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The 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers were part of the 38th (Irish Brigade) who fought in North Africa.
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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.
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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.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th May 1943: Roll of Honour
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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.
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‘Could we have raised his dying head,
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Or heard his last farewell.
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The blow would not have been so hard
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For us who loved him well.’
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 21st April 1945: Roll of Honour
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HENRY – In loving memory of my dear uncle, Isaac, who was killed in action on 16th April 1943.
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‘A day of remembrance sad to recall,
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Without farewell you left us all;
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Some will forget you, now you are gone,
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But I will remember you, no matter how long.’
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Ever remembered by his loving niece, Agnes Donnelly. Rock, Dungannon.
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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.’
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Fusilier Isaac Henry is commemorated locally on Cookstown Cenotaph and at Kildress Parish Church.
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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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