WWI British War Medal. Tyson. Honourable Artillery Company. Imprisoned with hard labour for theft. Later POW. Holburn.

Correctly named 3964 Pte HH Tyson HAC

Henry Hartley was born to Henry and Lilian in April 1891.

We find the family in 1911 living at 18 Buckridge Building, Portpool Lane, Holborn. Henry senior is working as a brass finisher and the young Henry a clerk.

Henry enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Company in mid 1915 and his address is now given as 10 Buckingham Buildings, Holborn. He was sent overseas in November 1916 earning himself a 1915 Star Trio.

He joined the 1st Battalion in the field in early November 1915.

Not so honourable though, in February 1916, Henry was imprisoned for 90 days with hard labour for stealing possessions and money from a comrade.

He was released from prison and returned to ‘A’ Company, 1st Bn HAC and soon became a Lance Corporal.

The 1st Bn HAC were in July 1916, to join with the 190 Brigade, 63rd Royal Naval Division and fought alongside them until June 1917 when they were transferred to GHQ Troops.

During this time with the RND, henry was captured whilst fighting at Beaucourt on the 31st of January 1917.

He was released from captivity on the 28th of January 1919.

In 1921 we find him living at 68, Princes Avenue, Wood Green, Middlesex, with his father who by now was a widower. Henry returned to being a clerk and was working at the Strand Hotel.

He married Lilian Agnes Prosser and we find them in 1939 at 40 Herne Road, Kingston Upon Thames. Henry is now a buyer/manager of electrical and engineering materials. He is also a Deputy District Air Raid Warden so most probably entitled to a Defence Medal for WWII service.

We know Henry died in 1986 in Kingston Upon Thames.

The medal has a long original silk ribbon.