Harry Kerry

Early Life

Henry (Harry) Kerry was born in Scoulton in 1877, but later moved to Deopham where he lived with his parents Zacheus and Amelia, along with siblings Edward, James, Amelia, Willie Rosa and Frederick. The 1891 Census records the family living in Low Common.

Henry was a farm labourer. He met Nellie Brett, a dressmaker from Attleborough, whom he married on December 24^th 1902.
They had two sons – Cyril and Clifton – and two daughters – Irene and Elsie. This is recorded in the 1911 Census, where Henry’s occupation is shown as “Farm Bailiff”.

Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell

The following photograph is understood to show Henry Kelly at Hall Farm.

Thanks to Gwen Rostron for sight of this photo

Nellie was pregnant with their fifth child when Henry was called to serve in the Great War (1914-18) where he served in the First Essex Regiment – Private 20557.

Photo reproduced with thanks to Wendy Eastell

The Royal Edward

During July 28^th – 29^th 1915 Henry set sail on the Royal Edward, a passenger ship belonging to the Canadian Northern Steamship company. He wasn’t originally meant to be on board but another man from his battalion was ill so he had to take his place.

This photograph shows the troops boarding the Royal Edward after a route march through Alexandria at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 11^th August 1915. They were heading for Gallipoli but unfortunately they did not reach their destination as the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine on Friday 13^th August.

Tragedy

The picture above appeared in the Eastern Daily Press on Friday 17^th September 1915, page 8.

The Royal Edward sunk within six minutes of being struck. 440 men were rescued by The Soudan (a British hospital ship); two French destroyers and some trawlers rescued a further 221 men. Unfortunately, Henry was one of the 861 men who drowned that day. He was 38 years old.

The following two letters of condolence were sent to Harry Kerry’s widow, Nellie:

Thanks to Wendy Eastell for providing copies of these letters.

After Henry’s death, Nellie and her family moved to The Cottage, Deopham Green. Nellie Kerry was left with four children and another to be born six months later. Royal Gwendoline Kerry was born on 17^th February 1916: she was named after Henry’s ship, Royal Edward. Nellie had been convinced she was having a boy, and that he would therefore have been called Edward.
The 1921 census records the family, including Nellie’s father, living at the Green.

Memorials

Helles, Turkey

Harry Kerry is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, on Panel 231.
The Memorial stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. It takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high that can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles. The Helles Memorial serves the dual function of Commonwealth battle memorial for the whole Gallipoli campaign and a place of commemoration for many of those Commonwealth servicemen who died there and have no known grave.

Photo: War Graves Commission

Photo: War Graves Commission

Kerry, H is the last name on the right hand column in this picture:

Photo: Wendy Eastell

The following photograph shows Sharon Maynard who is Harry Kerry’s great granddaughter and Courtney Harris his great great granddaughter in front of the Helles memorial:

Deopham Churchyard

Harry Kerry is also commemorated on a memorial in Deopham Churchyard, located north east from the chancel:

Photo: Wendy Eastell, August 2023

WW1 Memorial

This memorial is located on the north wall inside St. Andrew’s Church, Deopham.

Photo: Phil Long

There are links to the others who lost their lives in the two World Wars here.

Wendy Eastell found this letter amongst family papers:

Thanks to Wendy Eastell for providing a copy of this letter.

Further information

There is a description of the sinking of the HMS Royal Edward on this website: https://www.royaledward.net/the-last-voyage/

Commonwealth War Graves: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/682934/henry-kerry/

Date	Change
14/12/23	Picture at Hall Farm
27/10/23	Photo of Sharon Maynard & Courtney Harris
30/9/23	Re-written with information from Wendy Eastell
12-14/8/23	Deopham graveyard memorial and letters of condolence
10/8/23	Revised as a separate page
12/9/22	Published – based on information from Phil Long’s previous website