Henry Leslie Eden

Rank: Private

Regiment: 9th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment

Sent by: Mr & Mrs F Barnden

Mr & Mrs Barnden’s Address: 46 Vicarage Road, Hastings

Other Info: Additional name information from the Lives of the First World War website.

Henry was born in Wheelock in 1894 the son of Barthomley School’s Infants Teacher Mrs Sarah Eden and according to his memorial cross in St Bertoline’s graveyard “he was the gifted Organist of this Church and of All Saints, Balterley”.

The 1911 Census shows the 16-year old Henry, a coal miner hooker-on, living with his parents in Englesea Brook. Henry married Winnie Maydew at St Bertoline’s Church, Barthomley in 1917 and on Boxing Day that year their daughter Joyce was born. Just three weeks later Henry was killed in the Minnie Pit disaster. By the end of January 1918 it had been declared that there were no more survivors and the district was temporarily sealed.

Henry’s body was eventually recovered sixteen months later in July 1919 and he was buried at St Bertoline’s on July 26th 1919. At the time of his death they were living at Mellard Street Audley and his wife Winnie returned to her parents at Cherry Tree Cottage Balterley with her young baby. Thanks to Dennis Thorley for this information.

Published: April 1916

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