Main CPGW Record
Surname: EASTWOOD
Forename(s): Henry Ormerod
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 2017
Rank: A/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Hussars, 18th (Queen Mary’s Own)
Battalion / Unit: ---
Division: 1st Cavalry Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1915-05-25
Awards: Russian Medal of St George
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. F. 106.
CWGC Cemetery: BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, NORD
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Henry Ormerod Eastwood was the son of Anthony Summersgill and Elizabeth Eastwood, née Dodgson and brother of Private John Eastwood (3/6316) (q.v.). Their father was born at Gargrave, Yorkshire and mother at Staveley, Westmorland.
1891 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: High Street - Henry Eastwood, aged 1 year, born Gargrave, son of Anthony and Elizabeth Eastwood.
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Trees Terrace - Henry Eastwood, aged 11 years, born Gargrave, son of Anthony and Elizabeth Eastwood.
1911 Lucknow, India Census: 10th Hussars - Private Henry Ormerod Eastwood, aged 21 years, born Leeds.
A/Corporal Henry Ormerod Eastwood was awarded the Russian Medal of St George, 4th Class.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Henry O. Eastwood, 2017, 18th Hussars. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ) [France]. Date of entry therein: 15 August 1914. Died of Wounds: 25 May 1915.
A short biography of Henry is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
EASTWOOD, Cpl. Henry, 18th Hussars, 7, Midland Street, [Skipton], aged 26, formerly employed by Midland Railway Co. at Skipton as fitter, died of wounds 1915 (twice previously wounded).
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A/Corporal Henry Ormerod EASTWOOD
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Hussars, 18th (Queen Mary’s Own)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 1st Cavalry Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 June 1915
EASTWOOD – Killed in action, Trooper Henry Eastwood, of Queen Mary's Hussars, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood, 7, Midland Street, Skipton, aged 26 years.
18 June 1915
SKIPTON CAVALRYMAN'S DEATH – TROOPER HENRY EASTWOOD
No men have fought more gallantly for the cause of liberty and justice than the rank and file of the crack regiments of British cavalry, and just as the famous Scots Greys won undying fame by their famous charge at St. Quentin, so have the 18th Hussars covered themselves with glory even though they have acted the role of infantrymen to a great extent since their arrival in France.
They have paid dearly for their honour, and one of the fallen is the late Trooper Henry Eastwood, whose parents reside at 7, Midland Street, Skipton. Pte. Eastwood, a well-set up young man – a typical trooper of Queen Mary’s Hussars – enlisted years ago, and prior to that date was employed by the Midland Railway Co. as a fitter.
He had been with his regiment in South Africa, India and Egypt, and was transferred from the latter country to the Front upon the outbreak of war. During his sojourn in South Africa he was a player in his squadron’s football team.
Private Eastwood has been wounded twice – once in his back, and later on his side, but on neither occasion was he allowed leave in which to visit his home. He was 26 years of age and has two brothers serving with the new armies.
14 April 1916
RUSSIAN DECORATION FOR SKIPTONIAN
Mr. Anthony Eastwood of 1, Midland Street, Skipton has received an intimation from the War Office that his son, the late Lance Corporal H.O. Eastwood of the 18th Hussars, has had the honour of having conferred upon him by the Emperor of Russia the Medal of St. George for honour and gallantry in the field. This comes as follows:–
WAR OFFICE, LONDON S.W.
7th April 1916
"Sir – I am delighted to inform you that His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russian has been graciously pleased to confer, with the approval of His Majesty the King, the Medal of St. George with Clasp upon your son, the late No. 2017 Lance Corporal H.O. Eastwood, 18th Hussars, in recognition of his gallant conduct in the field.
"I am accordingly to forward the decoration herewith, to be retained as a memorial of the deceased non-commissioned officer’s distinguished service, and to request that you will be so good as to acknowledge its receipt.
"I am Sir, Your obedient servant, Signed H. H. HARRINGTON, Capt., for Director of Organisation"
Mr. Anthony Eastwood
1 Midland Street
Skipton
Yorkshire
Lance Corporal Eastwood enlisted some years ago, and prior to that was employed by the Midland Railway Company as a fitter. He had been with his regiment in South Africa, India and Egypt, and was transferred to the latter country to the Front, upon the outbreak of war. He was killed in action about the middle of last June.
During his sojourn in South Africa he was a player in his squadron’s football team. Lance-Corporal Eastwood had been wounded twice - once in his back, and later on in his side, but on neither occasion was he allowed leave in which to visit his home. He was 26 years of age and has two brothers serving with the new armies.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
18 July 1915
CORPORAL EASTWOOD OF SKIPTON KILLED – Wounded Whilst Carrying an Officer
News has been received during the week that Corporal Henry Eastwood of the 18th Hussars, whose parents reside at 7 Midland Street, Skipton, has died from wounds received at the Front. He had been wounded twice before, the first time being in September and the second in December. After he had recovered from his second wounds and had returned to the trenches, he wrote a letter home, dated December 12th, and stated:– “I have been made Corporal since I came back, and I am getting on A1. I got wounded at a place called Vendrassy in Belgium. My troop officer got shot through the head, and whilst I was carrying him I got shot through the back. I laid there for 24 hours and when I tried to crawl away I got shot again in the leg, but I thank God I have pulled round, and I expect to kill a few more Germans before the war ends.”
In another letter dated December 8th, Corporal Eastwood says:– “I have been all over France since I was wounded, and I am in the best of health. I am now back in the firing line with my regiment, but I am expecting 72 hours’ leave in England, so I will be able to come and see you. What I have seen and been through would turn you grey. I am hoping to come to England, for I have not been for six years.”
Corporal Eastwood, who was 26 years of age, was formerly employed as a fitter by the Midland Railway Company at Skipton, and joined the Hussars some years ago. Up to the outbreak of the war he had been serving in Africa and India. Three or four of his brother are now serving with the new armies.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Corpl. Henry Eastwood, 18th Hussars, died from wounds; wounded twice previously. Parents reside at 7 Midland Street, Skipton. Twenty-six years of age. Formerly employed as a fitter by the Midland Railway Company at Skipton. Joined the Hussars some years ago.
14 April 1916
DECEASED SKIPTON SOLDIER AWARDED A RUSSIAN DECORATION – Wounded Twice in Attempt to Save Officer
In June last year, Lance Corporal Henry Eastwood of the 18th Hussars, and whose parents reside at 7 Midland Street, Skipton, died from wounds received in action at the Front. He had been wounded twice previously to the wound from which he succumbed, the first time in September and the second in December of 1914. After he had recovered from his second wounds, and had returned to the trenches, he wrote a letter home, dated December 12th 1914, and stated: “I have been made corporal since I came back, and I am getting on A1. I got wounded at a place called Vendrassy in Belgium. My troop officer got shot through the head, and whilst I was carrying him I got shot through the back. I laid there for 24 hours and when I tried to crawl away I got shot again in the leg, but thank God I have pulled round and I expect to kill a few more Germans before the war ends.”
After such a long time had elapsed since the death of Corporal Eastwood, the parents were somewhat surprised to receive the following letter this week:–
War Office, London S.W.
7th April 1916
“Sir, – I am delighted to inform you that His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russian has been graciously pleased to confer, with the approval of His Majesty the King, the Medal of St. George, 4th class, upon your son, the late Lance Corporal H.O. Eastwood, of the 18th Hussars, in recognition of his gallant conduct in the field. I forward the decoration herewith to be retained by you as a memorial of the deceased N.C.O.’s distinguished service, and to request that you will be so good as to acknowledge its receipt.”
“I am Sir, Your obedient Servant (Signed) H.H. Harrington, Capt. For Director of Organisation”
We presume that the decoration has been awarded for the deceased young man’s brave deed that he mentioned in his letter to his parents.
Corporal Eastwood, who was 26 years of age, was formerly employed as a fitter by the Midland Railway Company at Skipton, and joined the Hussars some years ago. Up to the outbreak of war he had been serving in Africa and India. It is a great pity that he has not been spared to receive his well-won decoration.
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