KING, Henry W

Henry King was the younger son of Mr John Wardale King, who was a leading auctioneer and land agent in the Stourbridge area. His family lived at Oldswinford House, a fine property in Swinford Road but now demolished. He attended Stourbridge Grammar School, although his name does not appear on the school memorial, and worked in his father's office. He was a volunteer with the Worcestershire Hussars who were sent in April 1915 to Gallipoli as part of the 1st Mounted Division and who saw action in the landings at Suvla Bay and the subsequent frustrating failure to capture the peninsula. After the evacuation they were sent as part of the 5th Mounted Brigade to defend Egypt and the Suez Canal. With German military advisers the Turks decided to invade Egypt and won a considerable success on the 23rd April at Katia. Two Squadrons had been posted at Oghratina, a village some five miles in advance of Katia. The British force was light, but the Turks numbered 2,500. The Turks attacked at 7 a.m. and cut the wire in front of the British position. There was heavy firing until 7.15 and then quiet for some time. The Turks were helped by a fog which covered their advance and enabled them to surround the village. They then rushed the British forces. The Worcesters fought desperately, as was shown by the fact that eight of the thirteen officers were killed and three wounded. The problem was that shell fire had killed many horses and the Worcesters were unable to withdraw with the other cavalry units. Trooper Henry King was among those killed in action. He was 21 years of age and is commemorated on the Jerusalem, Stourbridge and Oldswinford church Memorials and by a special memorial in the Chapel at St. Mary's church.