Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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20/420   Private Henry James Kilpatrick
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 25th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 04/11/1878
Died: 28/04/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 38
Summary      
Henry James Kilpatrick was born at Moymore, Pomeroy. He was a son of Benjamin and Jane Kilpatrick (nee Miller) of Moymore. He enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he was working. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers. He had been wounded at the Battle of the Somme and returned home to recover from his wounds. After returning to the front line he was killed in action on 28th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras
Private Henry James Kilpatrick
Further Information
Henry James Kilpatrick was a son of Benjamin and Jane Kilpatrick. Benjamin Kilpatrick married Jane Miller 10th June 1868 in the district of Cookstown.
Henry James Kilpatrick was born at Moymore, Pomeroy, probably on 4th November 1878.
Known family: Benjamin Kilpatrick, Jane Kilpatrick, Robert Kilpatrick (born about 1869), Benjamin Kilpatrick (born about 1876), Henry Kilpatrick (born about 1879).
Unfortunately GRONI records show that the first names of the children were not recorded on the birth registrations, so information is very limited.
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.
The 1911 census does not list Henry at house 24 in Moymore, Pomeroy.
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.
Henry Kilpatrick joined the 20th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) initially.
Medal card
Private Henry Kilpatrick later transferred to the 25th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish).
Private Kilpatrick was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and returned home to recover from his wounds.
Letter dated 25th January 1917 from Henry Kilpatrick to his brother (unnamed):
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.
Letter dated 13th February 1917 from Henry ‘Harry’ Kilpatrick to his brother (Henry’s last letter home):
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.
Private Henry Kilpatrick was killed in action on 28th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras.
There was some doubt as to what had happened of Private Henry Kilpatrick and letters were exchanged in regard to his fate.
Letter dated 12th October 1917 from Lord Lucan to Mrs W J Kempton, 9 William Street, Chopwell, County Durham.
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.
Letter dated 26th November 1917 from the Earl of Lucan to Lieutenant Colonel R T G Lowry, Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Ireland.
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.
For almost twenty years, Private Henry Kilpatrick’s body was lost he was commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
However, his remains were later discovered along with two of his colleagues on 11th May 1936.
Letter dated 11th May 1936 from the Imperial War Graves Commission to Mrs J Kilpatrick, Moymore, Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
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.
The three men were interred at Canadian Cemetery No. 2, at Neuville Street, Vaast, close to Vimy Ridge.
Vimy Ridge photo
Private Henry James Kilpatrick’s name is still inscribed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.
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.
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.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Moymore, Pomeroy Pomeroy Census listing in Moymore, Pomeroy 54.610386 -6.906239
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Kilpatrick family 1901 census lists Henry as age 22 at house 23 in Moymore, Pomeroy
2 1911 Census lists Kilpatrick family 1911 census does not list Henry at house 24 in Moymore, Pomeroy
3 Chopwell War Memorial Lists Private H J Kilpatrick
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
5 Private Henry Cobain Mentioned in letters home by Private Henry J Kilpatrick
6 Soldiers Died in the Great War Details of Private Henry James Kilpatrick
7 St John the Evangelist Church Chopwell Lists Private Henry James Kilpatrick on Roll of Honour
8 Townlands.ie Ballymully lies just north of Pomeroy Forest
9 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Henry J Kilpatrick's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023