Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Private Henry James Kilpatrick
Date Information
05/04/2024
01/05/2020 02147
18/02/2017 Henry enlisted in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, where he was working. He had a sister living in nearby Chopwell and Henry is listed on two of Chopwell’s War Memorials.
18/02/2017 The CWGC record Private Henry James Kilpatrick as the son of Benjamin Kilpatrick and of Jane Kilpatrick (nee Miller), of Moymore, Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
18/02/2017 Private Henry James Kilpatrick’s name is still inscribed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.
18/02/2017 The three men were interred at Canadian Cemetery No. 2, at Neuville Street, Vaast, close to Vimy Ridge.
18/02/2017 However, his remains were later discovered along with two of his colleagues on 11th May 1936.
18/02/2017 For almost twenty years, Private Henry Kilpatrick’s body was lost he was commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
18/02/2017 Private Henry Kilpatrick was killed in action on 28th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras.
18/02/2017 Private Kilpatrick was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and returned home to recover from his wounds.
18/02/2017 Henry Kilpatrick joined the 20th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) initially.
18/02/2017 Dear brother, just a line to let you know I have arrived back here and am keeping in good health. Hoping you are all the same. I had not time to answer your last letter in England as I got orders to leave just after I got it. I hope father is well again, as he said he was only poorly when he last wrote me. Samuel and Mary were both well when I last saw them, as I was up at New Year. How is all the old friends about Pomeroy? I never got any word yet from Gordy, but I suppose he is still in Lurgan. Don’t be surprised at the size of this letter as paper is scarce with us. Never saw Harry Cobain yet. Might drop a with him somewhere. With best wishes to all, I remain your loving brother. Harry. Address over. Private H Kilpatrick 20/420. 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. B.E.F. France. P.S. Turned my coat since. I came out and am joined the Irish.
18/02/2017 The 1911 census does not list Henry at house 24 in Moymore, Pomeroy.
18/02/2017 The 1901 census lists Henry as age 22, living with the family at house 23 in Moymore, Pomeroy. Henry’s father was a widower. Benjamin Kilpatrick and his two sons were farm labourers.
18/02/2017 Unfortunately GRONI records show that the first names of the children were not recorded on the birth registrations, so information is very limited.
18/02/2017 Known family: Benjamin Kilpatrick, Jane Kilpatrick, Robert Kilpatrick (born about 1869), Benjamin Kilpatrick (born about 1876), Henry Kilpatrick (born about 1879).
18/02/2017 Henry James Kilpatrick was born at Moymore, Pomeroy, probably on 4th November 1878.
18/02/2017 Henry James Kilpatrick was a son of Benjamin and Jane Kilpatrick. Benjamin Kilpatrick married Jane Miller 10th June 1868 in the district of Cookstown.
18/02/2017 Private Henry Kilpatrick later transferred to the 25th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish).
18/02/2017
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Private Henry James Kilpatrick is also listed on Chopwell War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour in St. John the Evangelist Church in Chopwell.
18/02/2017 Dear Madam, I am writing to inform you that it has now been possible to identify the burial place of Private H J Kilpatrick. This soldier’s grave was found at a point east off Fampoux in France and the remains were identified by portions of his kit bearing his regimental particulars. In order to secure the proper maintenance of the grave in perpetuity, the remains were carefully moved and reverently reburied in Grave 23, Row E, Plot 17, of Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Neuville Street, Vaast. The Commission will, in due course, erect a gravestone over the grave and in this connection, I am enclosing two forms which I shall be glad if you will kindly complete and return to this office. Your Faithfully, (signature), Secretary.
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Letter dated 11th May 1936 from the Imperial War Graves Commission to Mrs J Kilpatrick, Moymore, Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
18/02/2017 Dear Sir, in answer to your letter of 20th November 1917, we know nothing beyond Private McAndrews states in his report. We have advised Kilpatrick’s sister, Mrs Kempton, to write to McAndrews, C/O The Record Office at York, and find out what more he can tell her. We understood from his report that he knew the Kilpatrick whom he saw dead, but from Mrs Kempton’s description, it seems as if it must have been some other man of the same name. We are hoping for other reports to throw more light upon this case. Yours Faithfully, (initials) for the Earl of Lucan.
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Letter dated 25th January 1917 from Henry Kilpatrick to his brother (unnamed):
18/02/2017 Dear Madam, We very much regret that we still have no news to send you of your brother, Private Henry J Kilpatrick, 420 25th Northumberland Fusiliers. We are continuing to make very possible enquiry for him, and are carefully watching for his name in all the prisoner lists from Germany. Should it come through on them, or we receive any other reliable information, it shall be forwarded to you immediately. With sincere sympathy in your anxiety, yours faithfully, Lord Lucan.
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Letter dated 12th October 1917 from Lord Lucan to Mrs W J Kempton, 9 William Street, Chopwell, County Durham.
18/02/2017 There was some doubt as to what had happened of Private Henry Kilpatrick and letters were exchanged in regard to his fate.
18/02/2017 Dear brother, a line to let you know I am in good health, hoping you are all same. Excuse me for not writing sooner. I had a lot of shifting from one place to another, and never had a proper address. We have had a very severe frost here but it is lifting now. Conditions are not very favourable, but can’t expect very much here. How is all the friends about Pomeroy? Never heard anything of H Cobain since I came out. I hope he is all right. Sam and Mary were quite well when I left. I’ve had no word since from them. I hope father is keeping well. Would you give him my address as I had none to give him when I wrote him last. Remember me to all my old friends with best wishes. I remain your loving brother, Harry. Private H Kilpatrick 20/420 (Attached) 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, B.E.F. France.
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Letter dated 13th February 1917 from Henry ‘Harry’ Kilpatrick to his brother (Henry’s last letter home):
18/02/2017
18/02/2017 Letter dated 26th November 1917 from the Earl of Lucan to Lieutenant Colonel R T G Lowry, Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Ireland.
30/12/2015
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