Begg, H B
HENRY BERNERS BEGG
Remembered with honour Arras Flying Services Memorial.
He originally joined the Calcutta Light Horse 8 December 1913 as Trooper 1108: a merchant aged 20, 5’7″ tall. He was granted leave from the Corps 9 June 1916 for the duration of the war owing to his going to England to join the Army. He served with the Royal Flying Corps from 1 August 1916 as Second Lieutenant, and as Flying Officer from 16 October 1916. He was sent to France to join 24 Squadron. On 23 November 1916 he was reported missing during a scouting expedition in the area of Achet-le-Grande, and was later presumed to have been killed in action on that date, flying a De Havilland DH2. His death was accepted for official purposes as having occurred on or since 23 November 1916; a report in German records states that he was shot down on 23 November 1916 at 11.20 am south-west of Baupaume. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
There is an article about Henry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 4 August 1917.
Son of Henry Charles and Ida Rosalind Alice (nee SMITH) BEGG of Watford.
His parents married 18 April 1892 at St Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta, India. Henry died 10 November 1950 in Watford aged 90, and was buried 14 November in North Watford Cemetery; Ida died 3 August 1953 in Watford aged 80, and was buried 7 July, also in North Watford Cemetery.
Henry was born 20 December 1893 in Calcutta, and baptised 9 February 1894 at St Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta. He was educated at Dorset House, Littlehampton, Sussex, and Oundle (School House), Northants, from September 1907 to April 1913. After leaving Oundle he returned to Calcutta to join the form of Begg, Dunlop and Co as an assistant.
On the 1901 Census, it is assumed the family were still living in India. On the 1911 Census, aged 17 he was a pupil and boarder at School House, Oundle.
Rank
Second LieutenantUnit
24th SquadronRegiment
Date of death
23/11/1916Age at death
23Place of death
Memorial(s)
Notes
His brother Rivers died 17 July 1917 and also features in this Roll of Honour- 1st S.W. Herts Scout Troop [in St Mary's Parish Church Watford] (4)
- Abbot's Langley Herts War Memorial (17)
- Aldbury Herts War Memorial (1)
- Aldenham Herts War Memorial (located in Letchmore Heath Herts) (8)
- All Saints Church Croxley Green Herts (12)
- All Saints Church Harrow Weald Middx (2)
- All Saints Church Hertford (1)
- All Saints Church King's Langley Herts (1)
- All Saints Church Leavesden Herts (31)
- All Saints Church Witham Essex (3)