MEESE, Henry Joseph

Henry Meese was the son of Mr and Mrs B Meese of 68 New Street, Brierley Hill. He was a late conscript and sent to the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He was one of the unfortunate conscripts who reached the front line to meet the 1918 German Spring offensives. The first opened on the Somme on the 21st March with the huge German artillery barrage. On the next day the Foresters were defending the line of the River Somme near Pargny. The overwhelming force of the German attack could not be stopped and a retreat began. Many casualties were suffered and they included Private Henry Meese. He was 18 years of age and is commemorated on the Pozières, Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.