Harry was born in Jan/Feb/Mar 1884, in Zeal Monachorum, Devon, to George Anley Sandford (40), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis) (about 43), a lacemaker and housewife.
On his record of birth, as well as on censuses, his forename is recorded as Harry. In his case, it seems Harry was likely not short for Henry. Yet on his Army Service Record and the Bow War Memorial, his foreman is given as Henry.
Harry had two older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:
- William Willis 1864 - 1922 (58)
- Mary Willis 1868 - 1937 (69)
William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents.
Harry was the youngest of five children born to George and Sarah Ann (two sons and three daughters):
- Mark 1872 - 1945 (73)
- Jane Mary 1873 - after 1911 (at least 38)
- Alice 1877 - 1943 (65)
- Susan 1881 - after 1939 (at least 57)
- Henry 'Harry' 1884 - 1917 (32 or 33)
Sometime in the late 1880's, when Harry was but a boy, the family moved from Zeal Monachorum, five miles east to Morchard Bishop.
In the 1880's and 1890's, Harry's older half-brother William Willis served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He would served for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gabraltar.
1891 Census:
In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Harry was only thirteen, his mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.
By 1901, Harry and his family had moved to Bow, where some members of the Sandford family live to this day.
1901 census:
In the 1890's and early 1900's, both Harry and his older brother Mark, like their older half-brother William before them, served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. On 17th June 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Harry completed a 49 day drill on enlistment. He gave his religion as congregational.
Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: their Army Service Records reveal both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes. Both were also on the small side: Mark was 5'5 1/4'' and 9st 6lb, and Harry was 5'4 3/4'' and 8st 6lb. Whilst Mark had a scar on his forehead, Harry had a large scar on his left forearm.
When not in the army, as a young man, Harry lived and worked as horseman at Burrow Farm in Bow, for widowed farmer R.I. Gibbings.
By 1901, Harry and his family had moved to Bow, where some members of the Sandford family live to this day.
1901 census:
In the 1890's and early 1900's, both Harry and his older brother Mark, like their older half-brother William before them, served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. On 17th June 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Harry completed a 49 day drill on enlistment. He gave his religion as congregational.
Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: their Army Service Records reveal both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes. Both were also on the small side: Mark was 5'5 1/4'' and 9st 6lb, and Harry was 5'4 3/4'' and 8st 6lb. Whilst Mark had a scar on his forehead, Harry had a large scar on his left forearm.
When not in the army, as a young man, Harry lived and worked as horseman at Burrow Farm in Bow, for widowed farmer R.I. Gibbings.
1911 Census:
Having served a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), Harry was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, in the First World War. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915, and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915.
Sadly, Harry was killed in action, aged about thirty-three. His date of death is given as 25th March 1917.
The war diary of the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment shows that on 25th March 1917, they weren't fighting, but at 'road work' - as they had been the previous few days. However, over the following few days "the division edged forward towards the Hindenburg Line in the wake of the German retirement" (from Visiting the Fallan Arras-South (2015) by Peter Hughs) and on 26th experienced nine casualties at Mory. It seems likely Harry was one of these casualties. His exact place of burial was not known and the 25th may have been the last day he was known to have been alive.
He has a headstone at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. His headstone is listed as a special memorial - a special memorial is placed when the person's exact place of burial is unknown. However, his records state he was known to be buried (somewhere) in that cemetery. The badge of the Devonshire Regiment appears at the top of Harry's headstone.
My mother says her uncle, Bert Sandford, Harry's great nephew has visited the French cemetery to pay his respects.
His name also appears on the Bow War Memorial at St Bartholomews Church, Bow.
Having served a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), Harry was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, in the First World War. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915, and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915.
Sadly, Harry was killed in action, aged about thirty-three. His date of death is given as 25th March 1917.
The war diary of the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment shows that on 25th March 1917, they weren't fighting, but at 'road work' - as they had been the previous few days. However, over the following few days "the division edged forward towards the Hindenburg Line in the wake of the German retirement" (from Visiting the Fallan Arras-South (2015) by Peter Hughs) and on 26th experienced nine casualties at Mory. It seems likely Harry was one of these casualties. His exact place of burial was not known and the 25th may have been the last day he was known to have been alive.
He has a headstone at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. His headstone is listed as a special memorial - a special memorial is placed when the person's exact place of burial is unknown. However, his records state he was known to be buried (somewhere) in that cemetery. The badge of the Devonshire Regiment appears at the top of Harry's headstone.
My mother says her uncle, Bert Sandford, Harry's great nephew has visited the French cemetery to pay his respects.
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'6687 Corporal H Sandford Devonshire Regiment 25 March 1917 Their glory shall not Be blotted out' Harry's headstone, Mory Abbey Military Cemetary, Pas-de-Calais, France |
His name also appears on the Bow War Memorial at St Bartholomews Church, Bow.
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| Bow War Memorial, 2015 |
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